UPDATE: This did not go well.
Whoever was given the post of first-team manager after Justin Edinburgh’s untimely passing was always going to have some big boots to fill. After promotion from the National League, Edinburgh had a golden relationship with his players and the fans. Ross Embleton, who served under Edinburgh as an assistant coach, took up the role of Interim Head Coach. Towards the end of September, he announced that he would be stepping down, and on the 16th October, a new man was named for the job.
This man has got over 450 professional appearances to his name, and 36 more for his national side Wales. He is 39-year-old Carl Fletcher.
That’s ten years younger than Edinburgh’s age when he died. There’s only 15 months between Embleton and Fletcher. Is his age an issue? I don’t think so. Football management is becoming an ever younger gig. Eddie Howe (who Fletcher worked with in an U23 and Loan player development role), Mauricio Pochettino of Spurs and Frank Lampard of Chelsea make up an ever-growing number of Premier League bosses in their 40s.
Under Francisco Becchetti, the previous owner, 12 different aspiring men each held the position in a 3-year spell. None of them lasted particularly long before they were fired. The revolving door of managers had turned into a dizzy merry-go-round. All were appointed at short notice, with a depleting, dejected squad at hand. But ultimately, there was only so much they could do – the damage had been done by the owner.
Since the takeover in June 2017, there was always going to be a sense of cautiousness from the fans about the manager, and how experienced they should be. But Kent Teague, majority investor, has made his philosophy clear. He wants promotion back to League One in the next three to four seasons, and a youthful, fresh start is the way to go. Director of Football Martin Ling gave this idea his blessing. Edinburgh’s navigation of the club out of the National League said enough. This school of thought now is how the O’s will go forward.
Fletcher’s appointment reflects the ambitions of the Board of Directors. There’s no doubt that the Board were spoilt for choice. Names familiar with football fans were linked to the role, including Sol Campbell and Darren Currie. Stephen Constantine, who interestingly managed India between 2015 and 2019, was also rumoured to be in with a shout. Fletcher’s name came up more recently, and about five days ago multiple sources began to report that he was to be offered the position.
Fletcher’s only job as head coach came with Plymouth Argyle. In 2010 the Pilgrims were handed a 10-point deduction by the Football League after continuous financial issues, but under Fletcher they beat the drop that season. After he parted ways with the club in 2013, he worked as Bournemouth’s under-18 manager, before taking up the under-23 job in 2017. Aaron Ramsdale, who is currently first-choice goalkeeper in the senior team, was mentored by Fletcher and secured his professional contract under his wing.
Orient have a young, revamped squad, one that I feel Fletcher will work extremely well with. Only six members of the 28-man team are older than 30. I really want to believe that Fletcher will bring the best out of the O’s young defenders, like Sam Ling (22), Myles Judd (21) and Sam Sargeant (22). Furthermore, left-back Shadrach Ogie (18), forward Ruel Sotiriou (19) and midfielder Brendon Shabani (18) should see their opportunities increased under Fletcher. He’s overseen youth development at the highest level, and I’m backing him to replicate it in League Two.
Danny Macklin, Chief Executive of LOFC, said “[Fletcher’s] knowledge of the game and ethos shone very brightly”, while Matt Porter, Director, stated that he has the “… personality and leadership to take the team forward”. I’m hoping Macklin and Porter are both proven right.
It’s understandable that some O’s fans are sceptical. Some would say it’s a shot in the dark, a punt on a man who is less experienced than the others apparently on the market. That may well be true, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Fletcher’s appointment is the embodiment of a project that replicates what Orient are all about – unique, forward-thinking, now youthful and most importantly ready to adapt to our ever-changing game.
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