Leyton Orient are set to end speculation regarding Richie Wellens’ future by tying him down to a new contract, according to journalist Alan Nixon.
The O’s have enjoyed an excellent rise under the 45-year-old since he was appointed in March 2022. His first full season saw him clinch the League Two title, racking up an impressive 91 points.
The London-based side took to life in League One well, finishing 11th. This past season saw them forge an unlikely charge for promotion, where they eventually secured a sixth-placed finish. It took penalties to find a way past Stockport County in the play-off semi-final before they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against Charlton Athletic in the final at Wembley Stadium.
The season was still seen as a resounding success and saw Wellens reportedly attract attention from the likes of Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers, with the latter said to have been willing to pay £250,000 in compensation in February.
Wellens Set For Lucrative Deal
Orient were on the receiving end of a takeover in April, with David Gandler becoming majority shareholder of the club. He has since promised to build a new stadium and training facilities, with the ultimate aim being a place in the Championship.
Their current head coach is seen as key to that and it is claimed that they are set to reward Wellens with fresh terms which will see him become one of the most highly paid managers in League One.
The former Doncaster Rovers boss is under contract at Brisbane Road until 2027. He put pen to paper on a new three year deal last summer, saying at the time that he believed his current crop were capable of challenging at a higher level:
“I’m really excited about what the next three years can bring us. We have got a group of players that are young and can improve and the fact that we only finished 11 points off the play-offs with the number of injuries that we had this season excites me for the future.
“I love working for this club and the relationships I have developed here have all contributed to the success that we have had so far. I wouldn’t have signed if I wasn’t excited about the future of this club and I’m looking forward to hopefully taking it to the next level.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their support and my message to fans would be that my ambition is to get to the very highest level that I can. That will never change and hopefully, we can do that together at Leyton Orient.”
Writer’s View
Although reports linking Wellens away from the club have been tentative so far, it won’t be long before a club from the Championship start to pay closer interest. Therefore, fresh terms and a longer deal protects their interests. The new contract will surely include a larger release clause, but Orient fans can breathe a sigh of relief that they don’t have to spend the summer dealing with speculation linking their head coach with a move away from the club.
