BOSS: David Hughes is Newport County's new manager (Image: Newport County/Huw Evans)
NEWPORT County AFC have confirmed the arrival of David Hughes as manager – with Wayne Hatswell returning to Rodney Parade as his right-hand man.
Hughes has signed a two-year contract and will leave his role as coach of Manchester United Under-21s to replace Nelson Jardim, who left the club in April after securing League Two status.
The new boss will go under the title of manager, like Graham Coughlan before Jardim arrived as head coach.
The Exiles believe that Hughes’ coaching prowess makes him the perfect fit with Hatswell returning to provide League Two experience.
County have also appointed Lee Kendall – son of club legend Mark – as head of goalkeeping.
Hughes will be charged with developing the talent on the Exiles’ books while also guiding them up the table after an inexperienced squad finished in the last safe spot in the fourth tier.
The new boss cut his coaching teeth with the academies at Aston Villa, Southampton and Cardiff plus spent time working for the Football Association of Wales.
Hughes has now earned a first job calling the shots in senior football.
He said: “Leaving a great club like Manchester United is never easy, but I'm excited about what lies ahead here.
“You build relationships with people and that makes decisions like this challenging. But after speaking to the chairman [Huw Jenkins] on a few occasions, it became a straightforward decision in terms of the challenge ahead and the shared vision for the club.”
INFLUENTIAL: Coach Wayne Hatswell is returning to Newport County (Image: Ashley Crowden/Huw Evans Agency)
Any worries about Hughes’ inexperience should be eased by the return of Hatswell, who formed a formidable double act with Michael Flynn.
They spearheaded the Great Escape, led the club on a number of lucrative cup runs and became promotion contenders.
Hatswell stayed on as interim manager after Flynn’s departure in October 2021 - with a record of a win and three draws - and stayed on to work with James Rowberry.
He left when Flynn got the Walsall job in February 2022 and also followed him to Swindon but opted against joining Cheltenham last season in favour of a job with the FAW as head coach of the national under-17s.
Kendall replaces Rob Thomas, who left at the end of last season, and has a coaching CV that features Sheffield United, Cardiff City, Bristol City, England Women and Fleetwood Town.
He heads to Rodney Parade after being on the management team at Bath City in National League South, ending last season as caretaker boss.
Hughes will start shaping his squad for the coming season alongside owner Jenkins, with sorting the futures of the experienced quartet of Nick Townsend, James Clarke, Shane McLoughlin and Aaron Wildig a priority.
They have all been offered fresh contracts while the Exiles will also make moves in the transfer market with significant additions needed in central midfield and up front.