Orient find themselves managerless again as Hessenthaler gets the boot

Andy Hessenthaler has become the first head coach in the EFL to lose his job after being sacked by Leyton Orient.

The O’s slumped to back-to-back defeats in the League by losing 3-1 to Notts County on Saturday, with the club remaining grateful to Hessenthaler for his work alongside Ian Hendon, Kevin Nolan and as manager himself.

A statement posted to the club’s official website read: “The club can confirm that Andy Hessenthaler has been relieved of his role as first team manager.

“We would like to thank Andy for his service to Leyton Orient since arriving in July 2015 and wish him well in his future career.”

Hessenthaler becomes the seventh managerial casualty under owner Francesco Becchetti’s reign, since the Italian bought the London club from Barry Hearn 101 matches ago.

The Gillingham icon was handed control of first-team matters in April when player-manager Kevin Nolan was replaced by Becchetti in order to ‘concentrate on his playing’, as the O’s attempted to push for a play-off place last season. At the expense of Nolan, who would not don an O’s shirt again, Hessenthaler agreed a one-year deal in the summer.

Since then, a poor home record in 2016 continues to hold stong to its inconsistencies with Brisbane Road hosting six victories, zero draws, and nine defeats in league fixtures this year.

Defeats to League Two strugglers Newport County, Mansfield Town and Yeovil have seen the atmosphere in E10 turn negative towards Becchetti.

Assistant manager Andy Edwards has been promoted to interim boss and will take charge of Tuesday night’s match against league leaders Plymouth Argyle, as Becchetti seeks a successor.

Becchetti quite clearly winding up fans who weren't happy after the match & a few calling for him to leave! #lofc pic.twitter.com/QTrdRe2t80

— OrientOutlookPodcast (@OrientOutlook) September 17, 2016