O's chiefs sign new deals
30 May 2007 - 16:11:37
Leyton Orient have handed management duo Martin Ling and Dean Smith new two-year contracts.
Ling, who was appointed O's manager in October 2003, and his assistant Smith have been rewarded for keeping the club in League One last term.
"It comes as a reward after a hard season, and it shows the chairman feels we're doing the job properly and moving in the right direction," said Ling, who has been at Brisbane Road as a player and coach for 11 years.
"Fifth from bottom was just about acceptable last year, but we want to do a lot better next season and he's put his trust in Dean and myself to take the club forward.
"After the start of last season people were beginning to doubt both this club's right to be in League One and my managerial abilities. I think we proved them wrong by turning it around over the last 30 games of the season.
"I've signed here for another two years and I want progression.
"In every year since I've been in charge we've finished higher than in the previous season, so the aim is to continue that next year."