Ian Hendon: Leyton Orient sack head coach

League Two side Leyton Orient have sacked head coach Ian Hendon following a run of four wins in 21 league games.

Hendon's assistant Andy Hessenthaler has been placed in caretaker charge of the O's, who sit 11th in the table, two points off the play-off positions.

Former Orient player Hendon, 44, was appointed in May, but leaves the club having won just 10 of his 31 matches in charge.

His final match was the 3-1 defeat at home by Exeter on Saturday.

Hendon took charge at the Matchroom Stadium following Orient's relegation from League One last season.

The east London club started the campaign well under the former Barnet player-manager and West Ham coach, winning their first five games in League Two, but have since slipped down the table.

A statement on the Orient website thanked Hendon for "his commitment and passion during his time at Leyton Orient".

Former Gillingham and Dover boss Hessenthaler, 50, will be in charge of first-team affairs on an interim basis until the O's appoint a new manager.

"The coaching and management team will continue to focus on realising the full potential of the team and will be working intensively to enhance the club's performance and position in the league," the Orient statement added.

More managerial change at Orient

Ian Hendon is the fifth boss to leave Leyton Orient since Italian Francesco Becchetti became owner in the summer of 2014.

After long-serving Russell Slade left for Cardiff in October 2014, Kevin Nugent and Mauro Milanese had short-term spells in charge before Fabio Liverani was appointed on a two-and-a-half-year deal in December 2014.

However, former Italy international Liverani only lasted six months and was dismissed following Orient's relegation from League One in May.