Leyton Orient have confirmed the appointment of Andy Hessenthaler as manager on an one-year contract with the option of an extension.

Francesco Becchetti conducted the interview process and the chairman elected to appoint Hessenthaler on a permanent basis.

The club statement reads:

“The President Francesco Becchetti is pleased to confirm that Andy Hessenthaler has signed a one-year contract to become the club’s new manager. “Following an interview process conducted directly by the chairman, the club are confident they have the right man for the job and believe Andy’s expertise, spirit and passion made him the stand-out candidate for the position.

The 50 year-old ended last season as caretaker manager after Kevin Nolan lost his managerial role.

Hessenthaler joined the club as assistant to Ian Hendon last summer and he continued in that role after Hendon’s dismissal, assisting Nolan during his short tenure.

Hessenthaler’s first managerial role was as a player-manager at Gillingham in June 2000. He guided Gillingham to mid-table finishes in Division One in his first three seasons in charge. After only narrowly avoiding relegation in 2003/04, Hessenthaler resigned as manager in November 2004.

Hessenthaler returned to management in May 2007 with Dover Athletic (again carrying out his duties alongside a playing role). In his first season he led the Whites to Division One South title. He then helped Dover to claim the Isthmian League Premier Division title in 2008/09. After achieving consecutive promotions as champions, Dover reached the Conference play-offs, however they lost to Woking in the semi-finals.

In May 2010 Hessenthaler ended his long playing career at the age of 44 and he resigned as Dover boss.

He returned to Gillingham for a second spell as manager in 2010. During this time he recruited Ian Hendon as his assistant.

The Gills finished 8th in League Two in consecutive seasons and following the 2011/12 season Hessenthaler left his managerial post to take up the role of Director of Football at the Priestfield. He left the club in 2013, taking up a scouting role at Burnley.

Hessenthaler returned to Gillingham in the summer of 2014 as part of Peter Taylor’s backroom staff. He also had a spell as joint caretaker manager following Taylor’s departure in December 2014. He reverted to the role of assistant manager when Justin Edinburgh was named as Gillingham boss.

His first game in charge of the O’s will be his 500^th in management. He has a 44.69% win percentage as a manager.