Kevin Nolan relieved of Leyton Orient managerial duties just three months after taking over

Nolan had only been in charge for 15 matches

(Getty)

Kevin Nolan has been relieved of player-manager duties at Leyton Orient.

The former Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United and West Ham United captain, 33, had been player-manager for only 15 matches at Brisbane Road, winning seven and drawing two of those games, but will no longer be in charge of the first-team.

Leyton Orient released a statement to say that they want Nolan to continue as a player until the end of the season, with assistant manager Andy Hessenthaler to take charge of the final five matches.

"Everyone at the Club is fighting hard to make sure we reach the play-offs this season," read a statement on the club website.

"Whilst that aim remains within reach, we have decided that Kevin should focus entirely on his playing contribution until the end of the season. We believe that Kevin will be able to make a bigger impact on the team without the distraction of managerial duties. Andy Hessenthaler, who has been assisting Kevin over the past few months, will take charge of the first team in the interim."

The O's still have an outside chance of reaching the play-offs although their chances have slipped following a four-match winless run. According to earlier reports, eccentric Orient owner Francesco Becchetti wants more control in the dugout.

The reports stated that Becchetti would install head of recruitment Rob Gagliardi and operations manager Vito Miceli to take charge.

Nolan has not yet announced whether he will continue on as a player for the club.

"I’ve got to believe in what I’m doing and I do," Nolan said after defeat at Barnet last week. "I’m a confident lad, I’ve said that and I knew I would have ups and downs when I first took the job and this is the down, but what we need to do is battle our way out of it."

Leyton Orient face local rivals Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday.

Since taking over the club from Barry Hearn in the summer of 2014, Becchetti has now been through seven different management teams.