A RAFT of big names that include the likes of Paul Ince, Teddy Sheringham and Lawrie Sanchez have been touted as potential successors to Martin Ling in the Orient hot seat, after club chairman Barry Hearn wielded the axe last week.

The O’s shock second half capitulation against Bristol Rovers on Saturday proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back, as Ling was swiftly removed from his post with the side languishing in the relegation zone.

Hearn admitted: “We’re in a results business and it is vitally important for Orient to stay in League One.

“We clearly have a fight on our hands, and if we were going to make a change, we had to make it as early as possible, to give the new guy the opportunity to get us out of this mess.”

That move has sparked a betting spree, with former Northern Ireland and Fulham boss Sanchez being installed as the 5/2 favourite to take the position by Victor Chandlers.

Tottenham Hotspur legend Ozzie Ardilles has even thrown his name in the hat, insisting he was keen to get back into management and that he was ‘interested’ in the Orient job.

Recently-sacked Blackburn Rovers manager Ince also finds himself in the running at 20/1, while former player Alex Inglethorpe is at 6/1, and Dagenham and Redbridge boss John Still also makes the list at 9/1.

Hearn insisted there was no shortage of quality candidates for the position.

“My phone has been red-hot since Sunday lunchtime, with a huge number of names, some of them big names,” he revealed.

However, the O’s owner will not rush the appointment, with youth team coach Kevin Nugent temporarily taking up the reins as he begins a patient hunt for the right man.

Nugent himself has been priced at 6/1, but he was remaining tight-lipped on the matter in the wake of the team’s 1-1 draw with Southend United on Tuesday.

“We’ll have to wait and see, I enjoyed Tuesday night but I’m still youth team and caretaker manager,” he said.

Nugent will take charge of the side for a second time when the O’s travel to promotion-chasing Scunthorpe at the weekend, in what promises to be a stern challenge for the stand-in boss.