Former Leyton Orient boss Omer Riza says he was “very close” to being appointed as Billericay Town’s new manager, but the move broke down due to issues involving his contract.

The 38-year-old hasn’t managed since leaving Orient last year and has spent the last couple of months coaching Watford’s Under-15 and Under-16 sides.

Riza, who was also linked with the managerial vacancy at Crawley Town previously, initially worked in Orient’s academy set-up but stepped up to manage the side in March 2017 following Danny Webb’s resignation.

The former Arsenal and West Ham striker was in charge of the O’s last seven games during the 2016/17 season but couldn’t prevent Orient from being relegated from the Football League for the first time in 112 years.

Despite taking over in difficult circumstances, a number of younger players flourished under the 38-year-old during his brief spell in charge, with the likes of Steven Alzate, Tristan Abrahams and Victor Adeboyejo all going on to forge careers in the Football League since.

Riza has always spoken about his desire to return to management in the future, but says the move to Billericay wasn’t right for both parties, with the National League South side appointing former Hemel Hempstead Town manager Dean Brennan as their new boss yesterday.

Riza said: “Last week I had a call from Glenn Tamplin. It weren’t about me applying for the position but it was about me being contacted by the owner of the club. We sat down and had a chat and were very close to getting a deal done. But it’s one of those things where if it’s not right for both parties, it breaks down.

“I had a good chat with Glenn. We spoke about what he’s trying to achieve and what he’s trying to do. We sat down and spoke like you do as professionals. It wasn’t quite right for both parties, in respect of what was being asked in the contracts and things like that.

“When you’re getting a contract sorted, especially when you’ve been in the game for a long time, there has to be certain things that protect you within the contract. If you’re not happy with those things from the get go, then you won’t be happy when you go into the role.

“For me, it was about me and Glenn making a decision and whether he wanted to go down the route I wanted or whether I wanted to go down the route he wanted. It got to that point where it wasn’t the right thing for both parties.

“It was very close. I’m grateful for the call and to be considered. I know I would have gone in and done a very good job. But if it’s not right, it’s not right.”

Despite missing out on the role at Billericay, Riza has reiterated his desire to return to management in the future but says he will bide his time until the right opportunity becomes available, so that he can work in a “stable environment.”

On potentially returning to management in the future, Riza said: “At the end of the day, I’ve managed to get myself to a certain level in the game as a player and as a coach. In the future, I’d like to become a first-team manager or at least work with young professionals at a very good level where I’m in a stable environment.

“At the moment, I’ve got to do what’s available to me and that’s the situation. Whatever’s available I will look at and I will keep working hard as I do. I was raised to work hard so that’s my way.

“I don’t look down on any positions. I know where I’ve been and what I’ve done and what I can do and that’s important. I’ve got to stay true to myself and keep working hard.”