BLOOD may be thicker than water, but David Hay's lengthy experience of the unsentimental business of football management was enough to persuade him to turn down an offer from within his own family to return to Livingston as manager.
Hay was back at the West Lothian club yesterday, but strictly in a part-time consultancy role as he lends his knowledge and contacts to their new Italian owners who have set a two-year target to reclaim SPL status.
The 60-year-old, who famously le
d Livingston to CIS Cup glory in 2004, revealed he was initially offered the job of manager but even though it came from his son-in-law Tomasso Angelini, right-hand man to new chairman Angelo Massone, he decided against a return to the technical area.
"They did ask if I wanted to coach or manage the team," said the former Celtic manager, "but I can't have my own son- in-law sacking me one day. I have missed football, but I'm comfortable with the role I've got here and I'm looking forward to it having a positive effect for Livingston."
Hay has yet to meet Roberto Landi, the Italian coach chosen by the new owners to replace Mark Proctor as manager, but will do so next week as Livingston set about assembling a new squad for the First Division campaign which kicks off on 2 August. Massone said yesterday that the lifting of their transfer embargo by the Scottish Football League is now "a formality" after sending them a cheque to settle the dispute with former captain Emmanuel Dorado which blighted the club under previous owner Pearse Flynn.
"Once that is done and the fans see new players coming in, it will give everyone a lift," said Hay. "Between us all, we have identified several players. It will be a mix of Scottish and foreign players, there will obviously be some Italians, but there won't be a massive influx of foreigners.
"I think we need a core of Scottish players to try and get out of this division. Tomasso and Angelo first came to me about six months ago to say they were interested in investing in a Scottish club and I suggested Livingston. It took a bit longer than we hoped, but I'm delighted to be back involved with the club. I had a lot of happy times here and I hope to repeat that. We want to bring a bit of belief back to the club, because I think it had lost its way.
"I'll be consulting in all aspects and I will help the new manager and his assistants when they get here. I won't interfere, I will assist. The club have targeted an SPL place within two years.
"It will be difficult, but if we can consolidate in a very competitive First Division next season, then hopefully we can push on from there."
Hay revealed that the club's new owners have turned down an offer from an SPL club for captain James McPake, while a new two-year contract for highly-rated 20-year-old Murray Davidson is seen as another sign of their ambition.
"Money talks and it may be that a bigger offer comes in for James," said Hay, "but rejecting the bid shows that the club means business. We will also be looking to bring in young players on loan from bigger clubs, maybe from the Old Firm."
Chairman Massone believes the presence of Hay will be crucial to fulfilling his consortium's ambitions for Livingston.
"For me, it is a dream to work with a legend of football such as David Hay," he said. "We want to take this club back to where we feel it belongs and David can help us do it."
The full article contains 634 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
