Richie Wellens speaks on signing a new deal, extending his stay as the head coach of Leyton Orient, who lost in the League One playoffs last season.
The O’s have secured Richie Wellens with a new three-year contract, extending his tenure until at least the end of the 2027/28 season. Wellens, who joined in March 2022, led the club to the League Two title in 2023 and a League One play-off final in the 2024/25 season.
Since December 2024, Orient earned the joint-second most points in League One. Majority Shareholder David Gandler praised Wellens’ tactical and motivational skills, emphasising his integral role in the club’s progress.
Wellens expressed ambition to reach the Championship with Orient, citing the club’s support and fanbase as key factors in his decision. Chairman Nigel Travis and Director of Football Martin Ling highlighted Wellens’ transformative impact and the club’s ongoing efforts to build a competitive squad for the 2025/26 season.
The journey is far from over ❤️#LOFC #OneOrient pic.twitter.com/DNKtQlAGX8
— Leyton Orient FC (@leytonorientfc) June 20, 2025
The Gaffer is here to stay ✍️
Leyton Orient are delighted to confirm that Head Coach Richie Wellens has signed a new three-year deal with the club, keeping him in E10 until at least the end of the 2027/28 season.#LOFC #OneOrient
— Leyton Orient FC (@leytonorientfc) June 20, 2025
STATEMENT:
Leyton Orient are delighted to confirm that Head Coach Richie Wellens has signed a new three-year deal in E10 – keeping him contracted until at least the end of the 2027/28 campaign.
Wellens – who first joined the O’s in March 2022 – guided the club to the Sky Bet League Two title in 2023 before overseeing a top-half finish in League One, followed by an incredible 2024/25 season which saw the O’s reach the Sky Bet League One play-off final.
The Gaffer has taken charge of 172 competitive O’s matches, with a win rate of 48.8 per cent. Since December 1 of 2024, Orient had the joint-second most points of any side in Sky Bet League One.
Orient Majority Shareholder David Gandler is delighted to see Wellens commit his future to the O’s. He said: “Ever since I started speaking to people at the club, Richie has been of paramount importance in every conversation. He’s an incredible coach, and his track record speaks for itself.
“Richie is not just the Head Coach of the football club. He is obviously a wonderful tactician and motivator, but he takes an active interest in every side of the football club, whether that be on or off the pitch.
“We’ve had some great conversations since I joined the club, and he wants nothing but the best for Leyton Orient. We know what Richie wants, and we mirror his ambition of having yet another season of progress.”
Wellens himself added his delight at committing his future to the club. He said: “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.
“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.”
Orient Chairman Nigel Travis continued, as he stated: “Richie committing his future to the club is another step in the right direction for us. I’ve said it many times, but Richie understands what this club is all about and has passion, the managerial skills and determination for the club to succeed.
“We’re now in the transfer window, as I’m sure you’ll all know, and we’re working extremely hard behind the scenes to assemble a squad that we believe is capable of achieving our goals this season.”
Director of Football Martin Ling added: “Richie pledging his future to us is a really important moment for the football club. Over the past three-and-a-bit years, our relationship has gone from strength to strength, and I’m ecstatic that our journey together will continue.
“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.
“We’re continuing our recruitment process for the 2025/26 season, and we are all confident that we can continue to grow in the coming years with Richie at the helm.”
Here’s how fans reacted as Richie Wellens speaks on signing a new deal as head coach of Leyton Orient…
@daniel_orient: Now announce galbraith extension
@Garicko7: Big statement of intent. He wouldn’t have signed unless he had assurances regarding the budget and players he can bring in. Lets get the Galbraith deal wrapped up and start signing some championship-ready players. #lofc
@ronnie4861: So happy, Richie is the best thing that’s happened to the club, probably ever. I hope he stays the 3 years, but unless we get Championship football at Orient, he’ll be off, I expect. Let’s hope signings are announced real soon now
@ARLOFC1: You don’t buy a Ferrari and stick a score in… Time to get some players to match. Up the Os
@bogsdollox1: Huge news. Absolutely fantastic, take us to the promised land please Ritchie
@LeeGibbs1: Better than any possible player signing!! Love this bloke 😍 great news!
@OffTheLineBlog: Bigger than any signing #LOFC could make this summer. One of the very best managers in the #EFL. He’s already done wonders at Orient, and I’d back him to continue to do that. Key extension. (mind you… signing LB, GK and 20-goal a season striker wouldn’t go amiss!)
@LHangles: This is very good news. How we still have him is beyond me. Arguably, our best manager since Bloomfield. Hopefully, this can turn the taps on and we get a bit more action from the club. #LOFC @OrientOutlook
@BenDBollard: I have no idea why he hasn’t been offered something bigger and better elsewhere, he is a brilliant manager. Well done to the board for getting this done. In Richie we trust 👊 #COYOS #LOFC
@LOFC_Dan: WE’VE GOT SUPER RICHIE WELLENS ❤️❤️
@tomhwilliams23: That’s huge for Leyton Orient. Richie Wellens will manage in the Championship sooner rather than later. He’s a top gaffer. He clearly believes he can take Leyton Orient to that level; went close last season
