Omer Riza says he is thoroughly enjoying his new role at Watford and has spoken to the Hornets’ head of academy Darren Sarll about a full-time position with the club.

The former Leyton Orient manager joined the coaching staff at Watford’s academy in August and works with the Premier League side’s Under-15s and Under-16s.

It is his first coaching role since he left Brisbane Road last year following a brief spell in charge of the O’s during the 2016/17 season.

Riza took over the managerial reigns in difficult circumstances, with the East London club’s future increasingly uncertain under then owner Francesco Becchetti, and despite his best efforts, he couldn’t prevent the O’s from being relegated from the Football League for the first time in 112 years.

But the 38-year-old was credited for giving some of Orient’s younger players some crucial game time, having previously worked with the O’s Under-16 and Under-18 sides before he stepped up to work with the first team.

Former Orient academy graduates Tristan Abrahams, Victor Adeboyejo and Steven Alzate have all gone on to forge careers in the Football League, with the latter currently on loan at Swindon Town having joined Brighton and Hove Albion last summer.

As such, Riza is certainly experienced when it comes to working with younger players and he has been delighted to get back into the swing of things after a while out of the game.

He said: “I’m delighted to be back in football and just to be around coaches and players both young and old as well as some ex-team mates and players I’ve played against in the past. It’s nice to be back in that environment and it’s nice to feel like that you’ve got a bit of worth.

“It’s gone well. There’s a lot of work to do with the lads there but like every academy, if there’s nothing to work on then there’s something wrong. I’m really enjoying my time there.

“At the minute, I’ve gone in and I’m doing an Under-15s and Under 16s position where I am working underneath a lead coach who looks after both age groups. I work between the two age groups and I go and put on sessions like any academy.

“I also help with any of the other age groups that need help at that time. So if I get the opportunity to help out with the Under-18s and Under-23s then I’m there and available to do so.”

Watford’s current head of academy is former Stevenage manager Sarll, who decided to leave a similar role at the League Two side to move to Vicarage Road in August.

Sarll has overseen the Hornets’ Under-23 side alongside coach Hayden Mullins this campaign and while Riza does not work closely with the duo, he has already spoken to the club’s head of academy regarding a permanent role in Hertfordshire.

He said: “I’ve seen him (Sarll) do his sessions and put sessions on, same as Hayden Mullins and Carl Martin who is doing the under-18s, when I’ve been in during the day sometimes because usually my stuff is in the evenings.

“I’ve not seen loads but we have time to sit down and have a chat. I spoke with Darren about the possibility of a full-time position with the club which might come to fruition.

“For me, what’s important now is that I’m back in. The age group isn’t important. What’s important is that I’m coaching and that I’m in and around a good environment and I can get on with my progression.”