"I'm not surprised" - Exclusive: Don Goodman drops Bristol City, Richie Wellens claim | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman believes Wellens has "earned the right" to be considered for the vacancy

Leyton Orient head coach Richie Wellens could be emerging as a candidate for the Bristol City manager's position - with him featuring prominenty on the bookmakers' shortlist.

The former Doncaster Rovers and Salford City boss has been at Leyton Orient since March 2022 - and led The O's to the League One play-off final this past season - where they ultimately fell short to Charlton Athletic.

Wellens has enjoyed a previous successful tenure at Swindown Town, guiding them to League Two promotion as champions in the 2019/2020 season.

Bristol City find themselves in urgent need of a new manager following Liam Manning's exit to Norwich City - with the Championship side keen to resolve this situation ahead of the new season.

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman believes Wellens has "earned the right" to be considered for the vacancy, following the 45-year-olds impressive season with Orient.

Don Goodman endorses Richie Wellens for Bristol City role

Goodman has exclusively given FLW his backing to the idea of the Robins considering Richie Wellens for their managerial role.

The former striker believes Wellens has demonstrated the qualities needed at Championship level following the past season with Leyton Orient.

Goodman told FLW, "I think Richie has earned the right for sure - to be linked and considered by Bristol City, he’s just off the back of probably his best ever season as a manager stroke head coach.

"Took Leyton Orient all the way to the play-off final and came out the wrong side of a very very tight game with massive fine margins but he put together a really good team.

"Only Birmingham City scored more goals than them, so front-footed, solid defensively and 78 points for Leyton Orient in League One was an excellent achievement so I'm not surprised at all that he would be linked.

"I think he’s earned that right, his career seems to be going from strength to strength."

Richie Wellens emerges as genuine contender for Ashton Gate position

As stated by Goodman - Leyton Orient accumulated 78 points during the past League One season - and the statistic that only Blues outscored Orient in the division underlines the attacking style of play Wellens has implemented.

With bookmakers clearly viewing him as a genuine contender, Bristol City's hierarchy will be aware of the need to appoint someone capable of making them score goals - City placed 11th in terms of goals scored in the 2024/2025 Championship - 59.

Should Bristol City move quickly to secure his services - they would be acquiring a head coach with a positively growing reputation - whose methods have proven effective in both gaining promotion and scoring goals.