Leyton Orient remove Kevin Nolan from managerial role - but want former West Ham captain to stay as a player

Removed: Nolan has been relieved of his managerial duties
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Sam Long12 April 2016

Leyton Orient have stripped Kevin Nolan of his managerial duties and placed Andy Hessenthaler in temporary charge of the League Two club.

The 33-year-old midfielder took over at Brisbane Road in mid-January but endured mixed success in charge of the east Londoners.

Nolan's arrival initially led to an upturn in results but the club have slipped to 11th place following Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Barnet.

Orient are just two points adrift of the final play-off place and Alessandro Angelieri has decided to make a change to ensure the club do not miss out on a top-seven finish - but wants Nolan to stay on as a player.

READ MORE: Kevin Nolan can be a ‘big figure in football for years to come’, insists Sam Allardyce
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Angelieri, the club's CEO, said: "Everyone at the Club is fighting hard to make sure we reach the play-offs this season.

"Whilst that aim remains within reach, we have decided that Kevin should focus entirely on his playing contribution until the end of the season.

"We believe that Kevin will be able to make a bigger impact on the team without the distraction of managerial duties.

"Andy Hessenthaler, who has been assisting Kevin over the past few months, will take charge of the first team in the interim."

Nolan represents the sixth managerial casualty in less than two years since Francesco Becchetti took over the club, who were relegated to the fourth tier last season.

The Italian owner has previously overseen the departures of Russell Slade, Kevin Nugent, Mauro Milanese, Fabio Liverani and Ian Hendon.

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