MARTIN LING’s tenure as boss at Brisbane Road was ended by club supremo Barry Hearn, the Guardian can exclusively reveal.

Hearn decided he had seen enough after Leyton Orient lost at home to Bristol Rovers last Saturday, and showed Ling the door.

Speaking after Ling’s departure on Sunday morning, Hearn said: “We’re in a results business and although Martin’s been a great servant of the club over the past six years, it’s vitally important, in my view, for Orient to stay in League One.

“We clearly have a fight on our hands” he explained. “And if we were going to make a change, we had to make it as early as possible, to give the new guy the opportunity to get us out of this mess.”

Describing the decision as “very hard” Hearn said: “Martin Ling’s always had the interests of the club at heart and he’s also very pragmatic and understands the reality of life.

"He knew the results weren’t good enough and that if they didn’t improve that he would be looking elsewhere for a job.

“Everyone in life, players, managers and chairmen included, has a sell-by date and, although you can’t fault what he’s done at Orient, Saturday was Martin’s sell-by date.

"We departed on totally amicable terms and I’m confident that Martin, with the ability he has, will not be un-employed for very long.”

The hunt is now on for a replacement who can lift the club out of the relegation mire, where Orient currently languish in 21st place, without a win in seven league games.

This week, the chairman was playing his cards close to his chest, refusing to reveal who is queuing up for the job. But he said the queue is a long one.

“My phone has been red-hot since Sunday lunchtime with a huge number of names, some of them big names” he revealed.

“At this moment in time I’m letting the dust settle. I’m in the balancing act of wanting to move forwards quickly but not wanting to make a mistake which means you move forward a little slower.

“I’m pretty confident in the next couple of weeks that we’ll have it all sorted.”

Youth team coach Kevin Nugent takes charge while Hearn looks for a full-time appointment, expected with a fortnight.

The chairman did outline what qualities the winning candidate should have.

“We want someone who’s experienced, who’s worked in our division, understands working to a budget, and who has the enthusiasm to do a job for Leyton Orient Football Club. It is fundamental that we stay in this division.”

But he stated that the new manager will work under financial constraints, and will have to sell in order to buy.

“There are, as always, limited resources available. When we talk about transfer cash people start thinking of Premiership numbers. We are a club which doesn’t have that type of income” Hearn said.

“There will be limited resources for the remainder of this season, though obviously the new boss has the opportunity to change the squad significantly at the end of the season, should he so wish.”

Hearn moved to reassure fans that his decision will be in the best interests of the club.

“I want to think of the future of Orient and for someone to come in and put his footprint on this club.”