Christophe Berra Kicks off a New Chapter as First Team Coach of Livingston FC
- Livingston emerged from their match against St Johnstone with a 4-2 victory this weekend
- Former Hearts centre-half Christophe has been preparing for a future in coaching since he left Raith Rovers in the summer and elected to hang up his boots
Christophe Berra got his first taste of life in the technical area as Livingston’s new first team coach on Saturday – and it was a sweet and winning one.
The 37-year-old Football Careers client, who opened up about his future in an exclusive column titled The Path Ahead last month, landed his new role after Marvin Bartley opted to move on from the Scottish Premiership club to be a boss in his own right at League One Queen of the South.
That left Lions boss David Martindale forced into a backroom reshuffle and he promoted first team coach Neil Hastings to become his no2 with Christophe moving into his exciting challenge.
The new-look coaching staff got off to a flyer with a thrilling 4-2 win at St Johnstone that leaves them lying a lofty fourth in Scotland’s top flight.
Former Hearts, Ipswich and Wolves centre-half Christophe – capped 41 times for Scotland in a superb playing career – has been preparing for a future in coaching since he left Raith Rovers in the summer and elected to hang up his boots.
Now he has a chance to learn under shrewd operator Martindale, who consistently defies the odds to keep Livi in the higher reaches of the league despite fighting against sides with far higher budgets. Martindale said:
“Christophe was a highly respected footballer and I believe he will become a hugely important member of my backroom team.
“He brings a wealth of experience as a professional footballer at the top level having had a top career as a defender.
“Christophe will bring a huge amount of that experience into the club giving what he’s done and where he’s been over that playing career, albeit, he is in the early stages of his coaching career.
“I’m looking forward to getting him on the training field and working alongside him.”