Head coach Ian Hendon has got to work quickly and things are looking positive again at Brisbane Road

East London Advertiser: Ian Hendon and Andy Hessenthaler (right) together during their time at Gillingham (pic: Mike Egerton/EMPICS).Ian Hendon and Andy Hessenthaler (right) together during their time at Gillingham (pic: Mike Egerton/EMPICS). (Image: EMPICS Sport)

Leyton Orient’s plans for the new campaign continue to fall into place following the appointment of Ian Hendon’s assistant boss.

Andy Hessenthaler started his role as Hendon’s number two on Wednesday after it was confirmed earlier this week that he would be taking up the position at Brisbane Road.

He was previously assistant at League One side Gillingham, but has decided to depart Priestfield to link up with O’s head coach as they set their sights on winning promotion.

The duo were team-mates at Barnet and were also together at Gillingham in 2010.

Hessenthaler was manager of the Gills then with Hendon his assistant, but the roles have reversed this time and the pair are both looking forward to working together again.

“I have worked with Andy and played with Andy years ago and his enthusiasm for the game is second to none,” said Hendon.

“He is out on the training pitch and wants to join in with the running already and show a few what he can still do, but I have to hold him back a bit with that!

“His knowledge and experience, especially at this level, the one above and even the Championship is good and he is a great person to have alongside me. He is a friend, but more importantly he is very good at his job and that is why he is here.”

Hessenthaler, by joining O’s, ends his lengthy affiliation with Gillingham and conceded it wasn’t an easy decision to depart the League One club.

He said it was tough to leave his role, but is excited about the fresh challenge ahead.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision as I’ve had a 20-year relationship with Gillingham and I love the football club,” Hessenthaler told their official club website.

“However I felt it’s a fresh challenge for me, I’ll be working with Ian again who I’ve spent time with in the past and I look forward to what lies ahead.”

The addition of Hessenthaler appears a smart one with the 49-year-old boasting a wealth of knowledge in the lower leagues and the management trio in charge of the O’s looks a well balanced unit.

Nugent’s experience with Orient, having served the Brisbane Road club since 2007, is invaluable and supporters will be hoping the enthusiasm of head coach Hendon, in his first managerial role since 2010, and the knowledge of number two Hessenthaler can be a recipe for success in the 2015/16 League Two season.

Orient have already made four signings with pace added to the team in the shape of Blair Turgott and extra work rate in Paul McCallum – two players Hendon knows well from his time as coach of West Ham’s development squad.

Fellow new boys Sammy Moore and Sean Clohessy have been playing or played in League Two for a number of years and look good additions.

Although numerous players from last season have departed, optimism is slowly starting to grow again in E10 as Hendon builds a squad he hopes will earn promotion this year.