Leyton Orient have parted ways with manager Ross Embleton.
The club made the decision in the aftermath of Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Tranmere Rovers which extended their winless run to seven games; a streak which left The O’s 14th in the League Two table.
At the time of writing there is not a next Leyton Orient manager market available as the club revealed that they: “expect to make an imminent announcement regarding a successor.”
Back in the summer of 2019 Embleton stepped up to the plate as interim manager in extremely difficult circumstances following the tragic death of Justin Edinburgh, who had propelled the club back into the Football League.
“He was a big personality with a big aura and presence when he went into a room,” Embleton told The Sack Race last May.
“He had a lot of self-belief, even if he was nervous or edgy he had this way of portraying confidence - he was just a really good bloke, a proper man, and a massive family man.”
Embleton reverted back to his position as assistant manager in November 2019 after Carl Fletcher was named the new O’s boss, a spell which lasted all of 29 days.
“Carl’s a really nice guy,” Embleton previously told us. “He came to the club at a tough time. He had some fantastic ideas and we both got on fine. But it became very difficult, results weren’t great and there became a feeling that it wasn’t the right match.”
Embleton was then named interim boss once again, a role which was made permanent at the start of 2020, and Orient would go on to finish the curtailed season in 17th.
His side stormed out of the blocks this season, registering four wins from their opening four games in three competitions. Inconsistency has since been a thorn in the side of the club, with winning runs immediately followed by losing streaks.
This was exemplified over the festive period during which they lost three games in a row, then won three games, since enduring a seven game winless patch which has in turn led to Embleton’s exit.
In a Club Statement on Saturday evening, Orient Chairman Nigel Travis said: “This was an extremely difficult decision for us to make, and one which we have done with heavy hearts.
“Nobody can underestimate, nor should ever forget, the influence and impact Ross has had on the rebirth of our Club. He was an integral part of our National League success and he stood up to lead the team following the tragic loss of Justin Edinburgh, and again put himself forward when we were later in need of a Head Coach.
“He is a bright young coach with a strong philosophy and some excellent ideas, but the board felt that with the investment made in the squad and the current situation in football that we should be looking to push on at an accelerated rate and unfortunately in recent weeks that has not happened.
“I’m confident Ross will bounce back from this as he has a lot to offer a club and we genuinely wish him every success in the future and thank him for all he has done for us.”