New Leyton Orient head coach Ian Hendon has admitted he would like Kevin Nugent to remain part of the coaching team at the club. 

One of his priorities will be to appoint an assistant and he has been linked with a move for Andy Hessenthaler, who he worked alongside at Gillingham prior to joining West Ham, but could also decide to work directly with Orient coach Nugent.

Some fans have speculated on the possibility of Hendon moving for former Orient players Matt Lockwood or Martin Ling but the new head coach appears to have his own target in mind.

Hendon said: “I have my ideas. I know Matt [Lockwood] well. I signed him as a player actually and know him well but I have my ideas who I want to bring in. I’m aware Matt’s been coaching up in Scotland but the decision’s not made yet and it will be in due course.

“Kevin’s here and I’d like him to be part of what’s going to happen. There is someone in mind who I’d like to bring in. I can’t name him obviously but that will be done for the start of pre-season I’m sure.”

Hendon’s first challenge will be to bring stability to the club after a campaign which ended in turmoil after relegation despite having the most expensive squad in the club’s history.

The Ilford-born coach said: “Speaking with the chairman and the conversations I’ve had, the club are looking for stability. It’s a results-based business. If the results go well then I shall be in the job. If they don’t then that’s for everybody else to decide. But I’m here and I want to get this club back to where they want to go. Whether that’s two, three or four years I want to lead them that way. I have a two-year contract.

“I want to be here longer than two years and I want to take the club where they want to go and where the chairman wants them to go. To do that we obviously have to be successful within those first two years.”

Hendon spent four years working with Sam Allardyce at Upton Park and sought the experienced manager’s advice when considering taking the Orient job.

“I learnt so much from Sam and his assistant Neil McDonald,” he said. “I went there and ran the development squad working with the younger players up to 21. We went into the league and did really well. Sam obviously saw something in me as a coach and promoted me. I’ve been with the first team for two-and-a-half years and you can’t fail to learn off Sam with his organisation. It was an eye-opener to be honest and I took so much from it.

“I spoke to Sam and he was fully supportive and said to go for it. You ask experienced people what they think and he said in his words ‘you’re ready’.

“I’m ready for the challenge and I’m going to give this a good go.”