Scott Arfield does not intend to apply for the Livingston manager’s job and says getting “grey hair” may put him off the role altogether.
The experienced midfielder, 37, will oversee the relegated club’s final three Scottish Premiership fixtures of the season, starting with Dundee at Dens Park on Saturday (15:00 BST).
Predecessor Marvin Bartley said on Thursday he and assistant Neil Hastings felt they “had no option but to resign” after being asked to reapply for their positions.
“I’ll tell you on 17 May,” said Arfield. “If I get a wee bit of grey hair then I’m not interested but if it’s three wins, we’ve only had two wins all season, you never know, you never know.
“I don’t think you’re ever sure if you want to be in this position until you’re thrown in. I’m actually quite happy being thrown in at the deep end, I have been throughout my career at certain times and you either sink or you swim.
“I wouldn’t throw my name in. They might throw my name in but I wouldn’t throw my name in. I still feel as if I’ve got a lot to give as a player.
“I was probably the most experienced within this group, hence the reason why I’m in this role.”
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Long-serving boss David Martindale brought Livi back up to the top flight from the Championship at the first time of asking via last season’s play-offs.
However, they struggled to pick up points and Martindale moved into a sporting director position in February, with Bartley taking over in the dugout. The Englishman won one and drew six of his 11 matches in charge.
As well as playing down the possibility of taking on the manager’s job long-term, Arfield was adamant a player-manager role is unrealistic.
“I’ve spoken to a lot of people that have done it and I understand how difficult it is, so we’ll see tomorrow how difficult it is,” said Arfield.
“I remember when I was first coming through at Falkirk and Brian Rice was assistant to John Hughes, who was playing. John was the manager and I used to laugh when he was subbed off.
“You’re completely fixated when you’re playing, you’re the manager but I think somebody has to make decisions because you can’t see it, you’re fixated in the game, people can see it from a vantage point so I think that’s a real difficult thing to do.
“John Hughes didn’t take it very well, as you can imagine. The two of them started arguing and I had tears under my eyes, I thought it was hilarious.”