Newport County will be hopeful of making some much-needed strides forward in the 2025/26 campaign after a challenging time in League Two over the past year.
The Exiles finished 22nd in the League Two table, one place above the drop zone. They were a comfortable seven points clear of the bottom two by the time all was said and done, but they will be wary that further struggles could leave them in real danger next season.
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Image courtesy of: NICK POTTS/REUTERS.
As such, Portuguese coach Nelson Jardim was relieved of his duties shortly before the end of the season with County safe from relegation.
The search for a new manager has commenced since, and it seems Newport County may have found their man.
Football Insider reports that advanced talks are taking place between the Exiles and David Hughes, a Welsh coach who currently serves as assistant manager of the Manchester United U21s.
The 47-year-old has been with the Red Devils since 2022, working as the number two to Travis Binnion and Mark Dempsey. However, it could be that a move into the senior game awaits Hughes now.
Hughes’ pedigree
There is certainly a bit of a gamble being taken with the appointment of Hughes if Newport County are to bring him in.
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The Wrexham-born man served as manager and assistant manager at Barry Town in spells back in 2004 and also worked as a number two at Port Talbot while he was still a player. However, since then, he has not worked in senior football.
WFC - Watford stadium Vicarage Road
Image courtesy of: ANDREW COULDRIDGE/REUTERS.
Hughes held various high level academy roles with the likes of Watford, Aston Villa, Southampton, Birmingham City and Cardiff City prior to becoming Manchester United U21s assistant. He also worked in the Wales setup as alongside Geraint Williams.
It displays he’s held in high regard in respect of his coaching abilities and work with young players but, at a senior level, this would be his biggest test to date.
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The task ahead at Newport County
Newport County have been in League Two since 2013 now and after pushing towards the top end of the division, they have been on a steady decline over the past four years now.
Since losing in the play-off final in 2021, the Exiles have finished lower and lower each season. If that trend was continue, they would end next year in the relegation zone and on their way out of the Football League.
The task for Hughes – or whoever takes the reins at Rodney Parade – will be to stop that rot and turn around their fortunes. They will have to do so with limited investment though, so perhaps Hughes’ links with some top academies could help County strike some fruitful loan deals.
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