Leyton Orient hand Kevin Nolan a dual role on and off the pitch

Former Bolton, Newcastle and West Ham midfielder Kevin Nolan accepted Leyton Orient’s offer to become their player-manager. The experienced midfielder is well known for his passion and skill, so he looked certain to help Orient in their fight for a place in League One.

The 33-year-old Nolan has a fine goal-scoring instinct, with 99 league goals in 522 appearances. He won the Championship title with Newcastle in 2010 and won promotion with West Ham in 2012. Kevin Nolan made his name at Bolton Wanderers, where he began his professional career in 1999, playing 4 matches in his very first Premier League season.

Nolan was a part of Bolton’s team that qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first time in the club’s history. He played in the historic 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich, showing fine technique to set up Davies for the equaliser 5 minutes from time.

Leyton Orient were 11th in League Two after 26 rounds, just 3 points behind 7th place and the last play-off spot. Kevin Nolan’s aim was to take his new team into the play-offs, a real challenge in such a competitive division. Orient had started the season well but had won only one of their last 10 league matches. Nolan’s first game in charge was set for 23rd January, away to one of their main rivals, Wycombe Wanderers, who sat 7th. The former West Ham midfielder signed a contract for two and a half years.

Nolan never played for the senior England team; he made just two appearances for England U21. It is a shame that such a talented player never won a major trophy, although he played in some fantastic Premier League matches for Bolton, Newcastle and West Ham. He captained every team he played for, and his leadership and passion pointed towards a very successful coaching career. First, though, he had to inspire his new teammates to achieve something special and win promotion to League One.

A player like Kevin Nolan is always an asset to a squad, because he can decide any single game. He can score, he can provide an assist, or he can make the crucial tackle that keeps a clean sheet.

How the spell at Orient ended

Nolan was appointed on 21 January 2016, three days after Ian Hendon’s time as head coach had come to an end. In the days between, Andy Hessenthaler had taken charge of the team as caretaker for the first time that season.

The results were respectable but not decisive. In 15 matches Nolan’s side won 7, drew 2 and lost 6. On 12 April 2016, with Orient two points off the play-off places, the club relieved him of his duties and Hessenthaler took over again as caretaker. Orient finished the 2015-16 League Two season in eighth place, just outside the play-offs that Nolan had been brought in to reach.

The coaching career that followed

Nolan, born in Liverpool on 24 June 1982, did not stay out of management for long. Notts County appointed him on 12 January 2017. He kept the club in the Football League, was named League Two Manager of the Month for September 2017, and remained in charge until 26 August 2018, when he was sacked after a run of six games without a win. His record there read 35 wins, 23 draws and 26 defeats in 84 matches.

In February 2020 he returned to West Ham United as first-team coach, working under David Moyes until both left the club in May 2024. Northampton Town then appointed him manager on 23 December 2024.

His playing record in the Premier League stands at 401 appearances and 69 goals: 39 for Bolton in 261 games, 12 for Newcastle in 41 and 18 for West Ham in 99.