Charlton Athletic manager Russell Slade pleased with ‘fantastic’ reception from Leyton Orient supporters
Russell Slade (left) and Kevin Nugent returned to Brisbane Road at the weekend with Charlton Athletic. Pic: SIMON O'CONNOR - Credit: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO
Addicks boss returned to Brisbane Road for the first time since leaving at the weekend and was given huge applause by home supporters
Russell Slade said the reception he got from the Leyton Orient fans meant a lot to him after not getting a chance to say goodbye before.
The 55-year-old moved to Brisbane Road as manager in April 2010, keeping them up that season before leaving in September 2014.
He achieved huge success with the O’s, leading them to seventh position in League One twice and also taking them to the play-off final where they missed out on a spot in the Championship after losing on penalties to Rotherham United.
But after Francesco Becchetti took over the east London club in the summer of 2014, Slade resigned in September after revealing he had been given an ‘ultimatum’ by the Italian earlier in the month.
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After returning to E10 again on Saturday with his new Charlton Athletic team, the ex-Orient manager received a fantastic applause from the home supporters.
“The reception did mean a lot because I never really had the opportunity to say goodbye after four years due to the circumstances at the time,” said Slade.
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“I had four very good years where we finished seventh twice and lost in the play-off final as everybody knows. The appreciation I got was fantastic and I’ll always remember that and be thankful of my time here.”
Although O’s and the Addicks played out a goalless draw on Saturday, it was the League Two side that looked the more sharper.
Jay Simpson missed a decent first half header while Jordan Bowery sliced wide when well placed.
Ollie Palmer curled past the post after the break for Andy Hessenthaler’s men as neither team were able to break the deadlock.
Slade believes Charlton are a long way from being ready for the new campaign with Orient dominating the first 45, adding: “Physically I thought it was decent and both teams in hot conditions having a run around.
“In terms of performance I was fairly disappointed. First half I didn’t think we were very clever and it shows how much work we need to do on and off the field. We need to improve that group as quickly as we possibly can.”
