A surprise twist sees a U-turn as Leyton Orient confirm their new boss, put it wasn’t what fans were told a few days ago.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Paul Tisdale, Kenny Jackett and Colin Calderwood were the top three candidates, being interviewed.
Then another report stated how the League Two outside looked more likely at appointing Paul Tisdale to quieten down the rumours Kenny Jackett had any chance of succeeding as their manager.
Well, after plenty of changes in the bookies odds messing with the fanbase’s heads, Leyton Orient have appointed Kenny Jackett.
đź‘€ Bit nippy out there…#LOFC #OnlyOneOrient pic.twitter.com/FZgYae57Tn
— Leyton Orient (@leytonorientfc) May 21, 2021
CLUB STATEMENT:
Following a thorough recruitment process, Jackett was the outstanding candidate, and has put pen to paper on a one-year rolling contract.
A promotion winner with three clubs, Jackett’s managerial career began at Watford in 1996, a club he had made over 330 appearances for in his career.
Promotions followed at his next three clubs, guiding Swansea City up from League Two in 2004/05, before then taking Millwall up to the Championship via Wembley in 2009/10.
In his next role, Jackett steered Wolves to a League One title, setting a divisional record of 103 points, and picking up the Manager of the Year award in the process.
A short spell at Rotherham United was followed by four years at Portsmouth, where Jackett picked up the Football League Trophy for the second time in his career, departing with a win rate of over 50%.
After parting company with Pompey in March, Jackett has been eyeing his return to football, and saw Leyton Orient as the club perfectly matching his own ambitions.
“I see Leyton Orient as a Club full of potential. That’s the attraction. My own personal ambition is to take us to the next level.”
We really want to hit the ground running, unite the Club and be successful in the coming season. Squad planning is vital. The summer is such an important time.”
“After an extensive search I’m delighted that we was able to attain the services of Kenny Jackett,” said Director of Football Martin Ling. “From my first meeting with him he showed me an unbelievable knowledge of the club, its current squad and of League Two in general.
“But the most important thing of all from that first meeting was his eagerness for the job and the project going forward. This continued throughout the next two stages of the interview process and he became the number one candidate.
“Kenny brings with him massive experience, know-how and contacts throughout football and it’s good to know we have the perfect captain to steer our ship.
“We look forward to building together both a management team and most importantly a squad of players that our fans can get excited by, and that will lead to a successful 2021/22.
With plenty of change in the playing department this summer, the managerial appointment marks the start of a new era; and the process for Jackett’s recruitment was a thorough one.
“We are absolutely delighted to have recruited someone of Kenny’s experience and successful track record in achieving promotions,” said Chairman Nigel Travis.
“He went through an exhaustive interview process with many other excellent candidates, and Kenny ticks so many boxes to move this club to the next level.”
Fans reacted as a surprise twist sees a U-turn as Leyton Orient finally confirm their new boss…
— SmokeOs (@SmokeOs) May 21, 2021
— Robbie Minchin (@RobbieMinchin) May 21, 2021
— Elliott (@elliottlofc) May 21, 2021
Big kenny pic.twitter.com/4kAyen9Fxt
— 🥷™️ (@COYBIGwwfc) May 21, 2021
@EuanCarter23: Welcome king Kenny got a great chance now hope that will turn a few of the out of contract players heads to stay. Do we know if his assistants are coming
@Orient_Ed: Well done to @nigeltravis @KentTeague and Martin Ling. This is a fantastic appointment and real statement of intent!
@Stevenorient: Welcome to the O’s Kenny, hopefully many years of exciting attacking football and plenty of wins.
@Caroline13B: Marvellous, wonderful 👏🏼👏🏼 … thank you to the Board and Directors of LOFC for making this happen! A real fan pleaser of an appointment and a statement of true intent from the club we all love. Can’t wait to get back to Real Football in the Capital! #lofc #OnlyOneOrient
@PFCRhys_: Hope he does well for you lads. Good bloke, just didn’t work out for him at us.
@pompeyjacques: Good luck, Kenny!
@DavidMegicks: BOYSSSSS LEAGUE 1 IS COMINGGGGG
@freddielofc: Give us the league
@loubear84: This is Massive Welcome Kenny Big statement from @nigeltravis @KentTeague & Martin Ling thanks Guys
@gold931: What a great appointment by the club this shows great ambition congratulations to everyone who made it possible
@LOFC_Dan: LETS GOOOOOOO
@OrientFanTV: Promotion incoming, kenny jackett’s red and white army
@OrientLiam: oh my fucking god idk how you’ve managed this but round of applause to the board and Lingy, pulled off a blinder here
@ReadieQB9: Kenny Jackett Kenny Jackett Kenny Jackett COME ON
@LesLk52: Welcome Kenny the fans are right behind you , get us up and you’ll be a legend
@DerryKris: Well done everyone on making this happen. Superb appointment.
@MattyLOFCEvans: Jesus! Kudos to the board and everyone for getting this done! Speechless
@LiamNUFC98: Brilliant appointment
@KatieHcom: ORIEEEEEEENNNNNTTT!!!! GET IN!
@BrisbaneRdPaul: GET IN!! Welcome to our club Kenny!
@ALB5399: KING KENYY
@Alexanderjrose1: my god im over the moon
@ColinPep1: Great appointment, especially for League Two. Did a fantastic job at Wolves and Millwall before that. Pompey fans bemoaned a dull style of football but hopefully Jackett will be reinvigorated and play an attacking game at Orient #LOFC #OnlyOneOrient
@N_m_93: Well done Martin Ling, Kent Teague and Nigel Travis!
@TheLeechy: Absolutely superb ! Best appointment since JE . Let’s go Kenny
@macaulayburns: orient are pleased to announce the signing of bryn morris
@DanAuton2590: One thing you can’t guarantee with any appointment or signing is that it’ll work, but you would like to think that appointing someone like Jackett gives you a very good chance, impressive by all involved but it’s only part of the overhaul, now to player recruitment. #lofc
@Manunexplained: Fantastic. All we need now is the team.
Got in early doors at 18/1. Happy days #lofc pic.twitter.com/QB25yyIMVZ
— Alan Reeves (@AlanReeves2) May 21, 2021
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