Leyton Orient have begun search for new manager as Omer Riza holds talks with Martin Ling

New Leyton Orient director of football Martin Ling has outlined what the club is looking for in its search for a new manager.

Ling has been brought back to Orient by Nigel Travis following his takeover and will lead the process of appointing a first-team coach.

Orient manager Omer Riza is out of contract at the end of the month and is meeting Ling on Friday afternoon.

But Ling has confirmed the search for a new boss is underway as Orient prepare for life in the National League.

Ling said: “I am looking for someone who is enthusiastic and buys into the project of taking the club forward. I want someone who has good man-management skills. I think the lower down you go the more important man management is.

“I want someone who knows how to put a team together with their own stamp on it. Winning games is important but the first thing is getting a squad together and getting them pulling in the right direction.

“I cannot say there is a remit of my perfect manager for this job - experienced, young etc. It is the right person for the job.”

Ling, who has been out of football since stepping down as Swindon Town boss in 2015 for health reasons, managed Orient between 2003 and 2009.

He said: “Orient is a club that is close to my heart. I am very pleased to be back.

“The long-term ambition is to get the club back to where it was. It is going to take a bit of time. We are now in the National League but the aim is to get this club back into League One. A club that was in freefall is able to look ahead with a bright future.”