Exclusive: Don Goodman fires warning to Leyton Orient over potential Richie Wellens, Championship developments | OneFootball

Don Goodman has told FLW his verdict on Leyton Orient's new contract plans for Richie Wellens

Don Goodman believes that Leyton Orient are making the right decision to back Richie Wellens with a new contract given how well the team did last year.

It was reported last weekend by Alan Nixon that the League One side are readying a new deal following their sixth-place finish in the table.

The London outfit reached the play-offs of the third tier, missing out on promotion with a defeat to Charlton Athletic in the final.

The 45-year-old has been with Leyton Orient since March 2022 and has overseen promotion from League Two, as well as 11th and sixth-place finishes in League One.

Richie Wellens contract claim

Goodman has praised the work Wellens has done with the O’s, suggesting this season has been the best of his managerial career so far.

He believes this new contract can help protect Leyton Orient, as a good start to the upcoming campaign could see the manager attract interest from Championship clubs.

“What an incredible season Richie Wellens masterminded at Leyton Orient last season,” Goodman exclusively told Football League World.

“Far and away the best he’s had, given the League One level, as a head coach or as a manager.

“So it’s no wonder it’s natural that Leyton Orient would want to tie him down to a longer-term deal.

“They’ve done that because there’s no doubt that, if Leyton Orient get off to a good start next season, then when the merry-go-round and silly season of sackings starts happening in the Championship, maybe there would be clubs that would consider Richie Wellens.

“But it will all be to do with how well they start next season.”

Wellens has won 82 of his 177 games in charge of Leyton Orient, and brought them to within one game of a return to the second tier of English football for the first time since 1995.

Wellens’ new contract is entirely deserved

Leyton Orient are rewarding Wellens with a job well done, even if they just narrowly missed out on promotion.

The loss to Charlton was disappointing, but getting to the play-off final in itself was a great achievement for the club and Wellens deserves a lot of credit for that.

This new contract should mean they can demand compensation for the 45-year-old if a Championship club does show interest next season.

But it’s a positive sign that the many second-tier sides looking for a new coach haven’t made any approach this summer, offering the club continuity into the new campaign, which may lead to another promotion.