Leyton Orient have chosen to appoint ex-Oldham, Swindon, Salford, Doncaster manager Richie Wellens as their new boss, the club confirm.
Following much speculation, finally a decision has been made as the O’s get ready to try and climb their way up the table and away from a relegation battle.
They currently sit 20th in League Two, sitting with 35 points from 33 games played, and are four points above the drop zone.
Photo Credit: Leyton Orient
CLUB STATEMENT:
The Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Richie Wellens as our new Head Coach.
Richie Wellens signs a two and a half year contract at the Breyer Group Stadium, tying him to the club until the summer of 2024.
Known for an attractive style of play with an intense pressing focus, Wellens reputation grew as he was promoted from League Two as Head Coach of Swindon Town in 2019/20.
He left the County Ground with Swindon Town in League One to join Salford City, where he oversaw the EFL Trophy win against Portsmouth.
Wellens most recently departed SkyBet League One side Doncaster Rovers, but is excited by the new challenge that lies ahead with the O’s.
“It’s a really good football club, and from my initial conversations with the owners, the vision is forward thinking, and they want to improve the club’s position,” said Wellens on his appointment.
“I’ve always enjoyed bringing my teams here, and the potential to improve here is clear to see.”
“I want the fans to really buy into what we’re about, and improve the match experience for them. Football is about having fun, and we’ll be keen to give them something to shout about.”
After finishing a professional career where he amassed just shy of 700 games, including 212 games in the Championship, Wellens began his coaching career at Oldham Athletic.
First as Caretaker Manager, before then being appointed permanently after impressing, Wellens took the reins at Boundary Park until 2018, when he was relieved of his duties.
Determined to bounce back, Wellens was appointed as Head Coach of Swindon town, where after consolidating their position in his first season, went on to transform them into champions.
With the league curtailed early due to Covid-19, the Robins claimed the title on PPG – but were worthy winners, having gained widespread praise for their attractive style of play, and attacking threat.
“He’s a young, vibrant coach with character, and we’re delighted to have him on board,” said Director of Football, Martin Ling.
“There’s been a long term admiration for him, and he was one of the potential candidates we spoke to last summer, however the Doncaster job came up, and he let us know he wouldn’t be put through to the next round.”
“The way he plays the game is something we like; an attack minded coach with a team on the front foot, his teams work hard, both offensively and defensively.”
Wellens will take his first training session tomorrow, as the O’s prepare for the trip to Hartlepool United this Saturday 12th March.
Matt Harrold and Brian Saah will return to their existing roles within the coaching set up, and we thank them for their efforts in interim charge.
“In the last week I have spent many hours with Richie and I convinced that he is the man to firstly get us out of the disappointing predicament we find ourselves in and then hopefully next season to move us forward up the table,” said Chairman Nigel Travis.
His first press conference will take place shortly after 2pm, and will be streamed live on the Club’s YouTube channel.
To watch the press conference, click here.
WELLENS’ PLAYING CAREER:
Youth career
1997–1999 – Manchester United
Senior career
1999–2000 – Manchester United
2000–2005 – Blackpool – 191 games (16 goals)
2005–2007 – Oldham Athletic – 87 games (8 goals)
2007–2009 – Doncaster Rovers – 84 games (9 goals)
2009–2013 – Leicester City – 129 games (4 goals)
2012 → Ipswich Town (loan) – 7 games (0 goals)
2013–2016 – Doncaster Rovers – 88 games (3 goals)
2015–2016 → Oldham Athletic (loan) – 3 games (0 goals)
2016 – Shrewsbury Town – 12 games (0 goals)
2016 – Salford City – 6 games (1 goal)
2016–2017 – Macclesfield Town – 2 games (0 goals)
Total – 609 games (41 goals)
MANAGERIAL CAREER:
Oldham Athletic – 25 September 2017 until 8 June 2018 – 43 games, 14 wins, 16 draws, 13 defeats, 32.6 win %
Swindon Town – 13 November 2018 until 4 November 2020 – 83 games, 35 wins, 17 draws, 31 defeats, 42.2 win %
Salford City – 4 November 2020 until 22 March 2021 – 30 games, 11 wins, 10 draws, 9 defeats, 36.7 win %
Doncaster Rovers – 17 May 2021 until 2 December 2021 – 26 games, 6 wins, 5 draws, 15 defeats, 23.1 win %
Total – 182 games, 66 wins, 48 draws, 68 defeats, 36.3 win %
HONOURS:
Club
Blackpool
Football League Third Division play-offs: 2001
Football League Trophy: 2001–02, 2003–04
Doncaster Rovers
Football League One play-offs: 2008
Individual
PFA Team of the Year: 2003–04 Second Division, 2006–07 League One, 2007–08 League One
Doncaster Rovers Player of the Year: 2007–08
Football League Championship Player of the Month: January 2011
Leicester City Player of the Year: 2010–11
Manager
Swindon Town
EFL League Two: 2019–20
Salford City
EFL Trophy: 2019–20
Twitter users reacted as Leyton Orient appoint the ex-Oldham, Swindon, Salford, Doncaster manager…
@freddielofc: Best of luck to him, Keep us up and build a team for next season. Looking forward to seeing what he can do
@stfcjamie: Great manager if with the right club. Hopefully Orient is a good fit
@SteveLOFC: Hope he’s registered as a player too, midfield needs someone like him.
@timofthetown: Great manager – really galvanised @Official_STFC whilst working for crook Lee Power – loved his high press and playing on the front foot – great engagement with local community and a real winner. He won’t see eye to eye with every player & it will take a while but stick with him
@Pandamonium1881:
Head Coach – that’s going to start it all off 😂
Welcome Richie – best of luck fella
@3Iliott: RICHIE WELLENS RED N WHITE ARMY
@quins1980: Happy with that
@LOFC_Dan: Welcome Richie! Buzzing to have finally got this over the line, definitely worth it in the end!
@Nin0_Bar0ne: MASSIVE APPOINTMENT OUR SEASON STARTS NOW
@jackwill2310: Let’s get behind him, up the os
@mrjacktanner: Stick with him and not expect success overnight and you’ve got a top manager there
@TwyfordRoyal: It’s amazing how often shit managers just get recycled into different jobs. You’d think they’d just give up through embarrassment
@j17_jj: Don’t listen to his interviews – hypes you up and then the performance is wank. Did fuck all with us this season and wasted a budget. No doubt we’ll be coming to you next season anyway if you avoid the drop. Best of luck with that clown in charge you’ll need it.
@ryanwashbourn26: Good luck him trying to tell any truth about your club because 99% of its bullshit and expect all ur injured players to be rushed back.
@MrMessy2016: What a surprise, a relegation fighting team signs a new manager a week or 2 before we play them. Fan fucking tastic
@tomdaviesE17: I think this is a good appointment – his Swindon side in particular were excellent – but much depends on the current systemic malfunctions, on and off the pitch, being dealt with. Because Jackett seemed a good appointment too
@ALB5399: Looking forward to his exciting and attacking style of football. Just need to get this season over and done with, (hopefully) stay up, and rebuild. So much deadweight both on the pitch and in the boardroom that needs looking at.
@AndyAndyWalker: Another experienced manager who we’ve missed out on! What are we waiting for! 🤬😤 #ColU
@West_Stand_O: Finally. Now it’s time to all get behind someone who has only ever been relegated once in his two full seasons as a manager. #lofc
@tylerontherun: Absolutely lovely person whenever I spoke to him. Really hope he can do well here…
@Bensaddington8: Decent appointment. Not going to say too much as I was buzzing with jackett and look how that turned out. Ridiculous that it had taken this long though. Need to hope we can stay up now #lofc
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