Slade resignation indirect result of Orient chairman’s sack threat

Although he will not like to admit it, the resignation of Russell Slade from his position at Leyton Orient lies largely with the club’s Italian investor Francesco Becchetti.

Cardiff City’s interest just seems, from the outside looking in, to be a vehicle the manager is taking for his own career after being threatened with the sack at Brisbane Road just last week. Although Orient, at the time of writing, are yet to accept his resignation, Slade’s position became untenable when, ironically, his chairman was so refreshingly candid with him.

“The president has been honest enough to tell me we have one game to sort it out. The situation is we need to get a win or that will be curtains,” Slade said prior to earning a draw away to Notts County on September 16th.

After saving his skin with a point at Meadow Lane, Slade’s tone changed from one of unity to a man no longer sure of his position: “There was a frank and honest exchange and discussion with the president, with a plan to go forward. That still involves me at this moment in time. I think communication is going to be key over the coming weeks.

“I am an honest man and I say what I think and what I believe in. The president is a passionate man as well. We have to find that common ground in terms of the way we go forward.” Slade also talked about personal sacrifices and the challenges faced, perhaps alluding to a widely held view that Orient punched above their weight by getting into the play-offs last term.

The way forward seems to be with Slade in charge of the Bluebirds, however. It is a good career move, in keeping with his previous jobs that started out as missions to steady the ship. Understandably, Orient do not want to accept his resignation, as Cardiff’s interest in Slade is well-known.

“This has not happened by chance after the club rejected this afternoon, a proposal from the general manager of Cardiff City,” an official O’s statement read. “The lawyers of the club are now studying the file.”

It all has the potential to end very ugly now. Orient remain rank outsiders at 40/1 with Coral to be relegated, yet are just two points above the drop zone. The Bluebirds, meanwhile, were dumped out of the Capital One Cup at home to Bournemouth under the stewardship of Danny Gabbidon and Scott Young, following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s exit.

They may be separated by a division, but the weight of expectation lies heavy on both Orient and Cardiff. Each are seen as underachievers, yet are short prices at 10/3 and 8/1 for promotion respectively given their current league positions. How this Slade saga ends remains to be seen, but he’s a strong odds-on 1/6 favourite to the next Bluebirds boss.