New Leyton Orient head coach Ian Hendon insists he could not think of a better club to be taking charge of after returning to the club.

Hendon, who replaces Fabio Liverani, spent four years as a player with the O's and was unveiled to the media this afternoon after signing a two-year contract.

His task will be to try to take Orient back to League One following last season's relegation but he is relishing the chance to return to management.

The former Barnet and Dover boss said: "I couldn't think of a better football club to be a manager of. As I say, after meeting the new owner, the chief executive and where they want to go with this football club it's a great opportunity and a very exciting time."

The new head coach added: "I think it's an exciting time for the club. I've met the owner and the chief executive and they share the same vision as I do for this football club. I came in the first time I met them and it just seemed to fit. 

"I'm very ambitious with what I want to do and where I want to go in the game as a manager. The chairman shares the same belief and wants the same for this football club."

Hendon is leaving West Ham United this summer after four years working with the development squad and subsequently first-team coach. The 43-year-old is passionate about the O's, following his time as a player, and is targeting promotion from League Two at the first attempt.

Hendon, who was keen to focus on the future, said: "I have an affiliation for the club. I would class it as my first club as a player. I was at Spurs as a kid and Orient took a chance with me. I had a good time here and I was a very committed player and I shall be a very committed manager that's for sure. 

"There are lot of clubs in this league looking to do the same thing. We all want to get promoted so that's the aim. We've got some good players here with the nucleus of the squad that's left here. We want to be challenging and get promotion at the end of the season."