Orient sack manager ahead of Mariners clash

LEYTON Orient have sacked head coach Ross Embleton ahead of their trip to face Grimsby Town at Blundell Park.

The London club announced their decision after the 3-1 defeat at home to Tranmere Rovers on Saturday - their seventh game without a win in League Two.

The defeat left them 14th in the table, eight points off the play-off places having previously looked to be in the race for a spot in the top seven.

Embleton took over the reins at Brisbane Road following the sad death of previous manager Justin Edinburgh in 2019. He stepped back into his role as an assistant when Carl Fletcher was appointed in October of that year, but took charge once again when Fletcher was sacked after just 29 days in the job.

A statement from Orient said they would make an “imminent announcement” regarding Embleton’s successor, which could mean they will have a new manager in place when they take on the Mariners on Tuesday. 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.”