Exclusive: David Prutton hails "ambitious" Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens as potential move mooted | OneFootball

The job Wellens has done in East London may be attracting admirers before too long...

There have been some big-hitting clubs in League One this season with some extraordinary finances behind them, and as expected, the likes of Birmingham City, Wrexham and Charlton Athletic have all been in the promotion picture.

One of the surprise packages of the entire division though have been Leyton Orient, with the east London outfit currently occupying a play-off spot with two matches to play.

The O's had a solid first year back in the third tier of English football in 2023-24, finishing in 11th position a year after lifting the League Two title, and they have built on that by launching a push for the post-season scramble that is the play-offs.

It has all been led by manager Richie Wellens, who put difficult stints at Salford City and Doncaster Rovers in 2020 and 2021 behind him to lead Orient back into League One, and he could potentially take them to the Championship.

David Prutton issues Richie Wellens praise as potential Leyton Orient exit mooted

Of course, when a manager is doing well in the EFL, especially with a club with perhaps a smaller budget than rival outfits, teams higher up the pyramid are going to take notice and potentially make a move.

And when asked as to whether Wellens may attract interest from other EFL clubs at the end of the current season, given the job he's done, Sky Sports' lead EFL presenter David Prutton believes that there are many reasons as to why the Orient boss may be potentially courted by others.

"Richie and the job he's done at Orient - I've always admired Richie and the way he's gone about it," Prutton said when exclusively speaking to Football League World.

"He had a very respectable playing career, played against him a few times, a tough operator but extremely good on the ball. I've worked with him since he's become a manager and he's good company, an ambitious man and he's building a solid CV in the EFL.

"So, I can see how he would be attractive to teams in and around and up and down the divisions. I think with Richie as well, the good thing is what you see is what you get.

"He's very straight-talking, a very straight-forward manager who knows how he likes to play football, and as we've seen is very good at implementing it."

Championship vacancies may have Leyton Orient sweating over Richie Wellens' future

Wellens clearly has a growing reputation within the game, and with a couple of Championship jobs becoming available this week, there may be some anxious and nervous faces within the Orient boardroom right now.

Still only 45 years of age, Wellens is a relative youngster in the coaching game despite his experience, and the likes of Cardiff City could now place him on their radar after they sacked Omer Riza - although the Bluebirds themselves could be in League One next season with Orient, should they be relegated and the O's do not get promoted.

Norwich City are another club who are on the hunt for a new boss, but given the project that is going on at Carrow Road, it may be more suited to a novice coach or a young, overseas boss who is more equipped to deal with the head coach/sporting director dynamic.