Leyton Orient Head Coach, Richie Wellens has signed a new contract at the club until June 2028.
Wellens’ new contract comes after a solid season saw him guide Orient to the League One Play-Off Final where they lost to London rivals, Charlton, plus the fourth round of this season’s FA Cup in which they took the lead in their eventual loss to Manchester City.
The 45-year-old has been in charge since March 2022 and following confirmation of his new three-year contract until June 2028, he reflected on the team’s progress so far – which included promotion from League Two in 2022-23 season – and is targeting promotion to the Championship with Orient.
“Since I joined the club in 2022, we’ve seen progress season-by-season, and we want to keep improving and get this club to a level we think it can reach.
“I’m an ambitious person and an ambitious Head Coach, and I want to manage in the Championship, and I want to get there with Leyton Orient.
“We came so close to achieving our goal of getting there last season, and it’s left me wanting it even more. The club are showing great ambition for the future – which was vital in my decision to sign this contract – and I can’t wait to continue my journey with this club, which means the world to me and my family.”
Wellens also praised supporters for their “top class” support throughout his tenure and is now keen to repay that faith with a promotion challenge in the upcoming season.
“I’ve said it before, but the supporters at Leyton Orient are top class. They welcomed me to the club with open arms, and whenever I see them, whether that be on the tube, in a supermarket, or just walking down the street, they tell me how much the club means to them.
“I want to repay that faith to the supporters, but also to my players, staff, and the board. The relationships that I have built up with the staff here over a number of years has been a big thing for me, and I can’t wait to continue that. Myself, Lingy and many others are working really hard behind the scenes, and we’re excited for next season, and I’m excited for the team that we are building.”
Chairman, Nigel Travis added that Wellens’ new contract marks “another step in the right direction” with his understanding of the club which shows in his “… passion, the managerial skills and determination for the club to succeed.”
Orient’s Director of Football, Martin Ling echoed Wellens’ view on the club’s progress as he praised him for improving the club’s fortunes in recent seasons.
“The difference in the football club since Richie came in is night and day. We were in a tough place on the pitch, but the turnaround continues to be remarkable. We know what we want to achieve, and I truly believe that now is a very exciting time for our football club.”
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