New Leyton Orient boss Carl Fletcher 'honoured' to try and continue Justin Edinburgh's good work

Carl Fletcher left Bournemouth to take up the role as head coach at Leyton Orient this week
PA
Giuseppe Muro17 October 2019

New Leyton Orient manager Carl Fletcher says he wants to continue the good work done by Justin Edinburgh at Brisbane Road.

Fletcher has agreed a two-year contract to become the permanent successor to Edinburgh, who died aged 49 in June having just guided the club back into the Football League.

“I do not think anyone could try to imagine the dark times the club has gone through,” said Fletcher.

“It would be wrong of me to come in and try to be the same as Justin or copy what he did because he did such a fantastic job here.

"Although I did not know him personally, everyone spoke so highly of him. I am very honoured to be able to try and continue the good work he started and the staff and players have carried on.”

Fletcher, 39, spent 16 months in charge of Plymouth between 2011 and 2013. The former Wales midfielder joins Orient from Bournemouth, where he was working as loan player manager having previously coached their Under-18 and Under-23 teams under Eddie Howe.

“I feel like I have matured, got better and learned a lot since my Plymouth days,” said Fletcher, who made over 400 league appearances during a playing career that included spells at Bournemouth, West Ham and Crystal Palace.

“Looking back at my time at Plymouth I was too young and did not have enough knowledge. My journey since then has been a good one and I have learned so much that I feel I am a better person, a better coach and a better manager than I was in the Plymouth days.”

Fletcher takes over with Orient 17th in League Two. Ross Embleton, who was named interim manager after the death of Edinburgh, will remain in charge for Saturday’s away game at Grimsby Town.

Fletcher will watch from the stands before taking over next week.

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