O’s boss ends the uncertainty over his future

Orient fans were delighted with the news that Russell Slade will be staying with the club.

O’s chairman Barry Hearn refused Championship side Barnsley permission to speak to Slade regarding the vacancy at Oakwell and after a week of uncertainty Slade released a statement today saying he was staying with the League One side.

Rory Macqueen, joint editor of the club’s fanzine the Leyton Orientear expressed his delight and said: “This is great news for the fans. I don’t think there is a single supporter that wanted Russell to leave the club.

“I’m sure that over the weekend some of the fans feared the worst, so it’s excellent that he is staying.

“We’re delighted with Russell’s decision and we hope that Barry Hearn will give him the backing to continue to move the club forward.”

Slade is disappointed not to have been given permission to speak to Barnsley and said: “In recent days an opportunity arose with an established Championship club, however I can confirm that I was not given permission to speak to them and understandably this brings with it an element of frustration.

“I firmly believe that any ambitious football manager, player or non-football related employee anywhere in the country would like to have had the chance to consider the opportunity to instantly work at a higher level.

“The last manager at Orient to have been given that opportunity was Jimmy Bloomfield back in 1971, so that highlights how infrequently those opportunities come around.”

Fans will be hoping that the episode has not damaged the relationship between Hearn and Slade, but the manager insists he will keep giving it his all.

“I am an extremely passionate manager and have put my heart and soul into every club that I have managed over the last 17 years,” he said.

“However, I am also extremely ambitious and I have high career aspirations for myself.

“That being said, I am a professional and pride myself in having never walked out on a football club.

“I remain fully committed to my job at Leyton Orient and am looking forward to working with the team to achieve another successful season.”