Leyton Orient have announced that Kevin Nolan will no longer be player-manager at the club and instead he will see out the rest of the season as a player. Nolan’s assistant Andy Hessenthaler has been named as caretaker manager for the rest of the campaign.

During the last twenty four hours numerous rumours about Nolan’s future had been reported but earlier today Leyton Orient CEO Alessandro Angelieri issued the following statement:

“Everyone at the Club is fighting hard to make sure we reach the play-offs this season. Whilst that aim remains within reach, we have decided that Kevin should focus entirely on his playing contribution until the end of the season. We believe that Kevin will be able to make a bigger impact on the team without the distraction of managerial duties. Andy Hessenthaler, who has been assisting Kevin over the past few months, will take charge of the first team in the interim.”

Read more at http://www.leytonorient.com/news/article/nolan-leyton-orient-statement-3056453.aspx#tsQLD21yx177cYF8.99

Kevin Nolan was appointed as Ian Hendon’s successor back in January on a two-and-a-half year contract. The experienced midfielder took charge of just 15 games in which he won seven games, lost six and drew twice, giving him a 46.67% win percentage.

The 33 year-old combined his managerial duties with playing, making 12 starts and two substitute appearances for the O’s so far.

Despite Orient’s recent poor form,they remain just two points off of the play-off places.

Though the statement from the club insists that Nolan will be playing for Orient until the end of the season, this latest development certainly throws his future at the club into serious doubt.

At the time of writing Kevin Nolan is among the front-runners to become the next manager at Bolton Wanderers according to bookmakers. Nolan spent over ten years with the Trotters as a player.

The O’s host Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday.