David Hopkin insists the time is right to "seek a new challenge" after turning down a new contract at Livingston just eleven days after leading the club to the Ladbrokes Premiership.
The former Scotland internationalist has ended his three-and-half year spell at the Tony Macaroni Arena – which began in January 2015 when he was appointed Mark Burchill’s assistant – amid speculation linking him with the vacancies at St Mirren, Carlisle United, Shrewsbury Town and Bradford City.
Hopkin led the Lions to successive promotions in his two full seasons in charge after replacing Burchill in December 2015 and had initially asked for time from the board to consider his future.
But after masterminding play-off final success over Partick Thistle, the 47-year-old insists he is ready to take the next step in his career.
He said: “After a great three and a half seasons at Livingston and after much deliberation, I feel it is now time for me to seek a new challenge in football.
“I would like to thank personally the owner John Ward, directors Neill Hogarth, Brian Ewing, Scott Forrest, Allan Scott, David Mullholland and the chairman Robert Wilson for all their help and support and the hospitality shown to my family at every game, home or away.
“I would also like to thank them for believing in me and my vision on how to take the club forward. I hope they all feel it was justified.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the coaching staff; David Martindale, Andrew Mackenzie, Colin Ritchie, Tony Caig, John Hartson and Cheb [kitman, Stephen Sproule].
“They have all been fantastic to me and been a massive part in the success we have had over the years.
“Whoever the next manager is, they will have a great backroom team and highly motivated and professional staff.”
A never-say-die combative approach was the bedrock of the Lions’ success this season and Hopkin also paid tribute to the players who helped deliver back-to-back promotions.
He added: “I would like to thank every player past and present who have all contributed massively in getting Livingston to the Scottish Premiership.
“The players have improved each season and been willing to take on new information and believe in my football philosophy.
“It gives me great satisfaction when I see a player improve and instilling that winning mentality I have always had as a player and a coach.
“The team spirit and togetherness created by the players and staff will always be special to me. The squad of players the next manager will inherit will be a strong unit that I am sure will help push the club even further.
“Finally and most importantly, I have to give great credit to the fans of the club – you have stuck by the club through the good times and bad and deserve to be watching your team at all the top clubs in the country.
“My aim was always to get fans back to Livingston FC and with the back to back promotions I am sure you will all have an enjoyable future.”
Livingston said in a statement that assistant manager David Martindale would take charge of team affairs while a replacement to Hopkin was found.
It read: “Livingston FC, after a discussion with David Hopkin, has this morning accepted that he will not be renewing his contract as the club’s manager.
"David is aware of the speculation around other positions, and although he has been open and transparent and not accepted any other role at this time, he feels that the longer this continues the more it will undermine the success that he and the coaching staff have achieved.
“His decision is not the consequence of an unacceptable offer or budget, but is based purely on personal circumstances. Which we fully respect and acknowledge.
“The club has been assessing other candidates in the knowledge that David would potentially move on, and will take time to consider these options.
“In the meantime David Martindale will take charge of football affairs.
“We would like to put on record our deep gratitude for David’s efforts in guiding us back to the Premiership, and wish him well whatever the outcome of his future talks.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here