**Newport County is delighted to announce the appointment of former Manchester United coach David Hughes as the club’s new manager.**
Hughes joins the Exiles on a two-year contract from Old Trafford, where he was Under-21s coach and assistant manager, playing an instrumental role in nurturing the next generation of talent within one of the world’s most renowned academies.
He will be joined by the experienced Wayne Hatswell as assistant manager and Lee Kendall as head of goalkeeping.
A highly respected coach with a proven track record in youth development and elite performance environments, Hughes brings with him a wealth of experience. His impressive CV includes senior roles at Cardiff City and Southampton as Head of Academy Coaching, and a four-year tenure as manager of the Wales Under-17 national team.
A former professional footballer, Hughes came through the ranks at Aston Villa, making seven Premier League appearances before a career-ending injury saw him retire at the age of 26. His playing career also included spells at Carlisle United, Shrewsbury Town, and Cardiff City, and he represented Wales at international level.
Beyond his time at Manchester United, Hughes has held key coaching roles at Shrewsbury, Watford, Wales, Aston Villa, and Southampton, gaining a deep understanding of development pathways across all levels of the game.
Speaking after his appointment, Hughes 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 on a few occasions, it became a straightforward decision in terms of the challenge ahead and the shared vision for the club.”
Joining Hughes as assistant manager is a familiar and respected figure at Rodney Parade — Hatswell.
Hatswell enjoyed a successful playing spell at Newport during the 2011–12 season before transitioning into coaching. Across two periods at the club from 2013 to 2022, he served as assistant manager and interim manager, playing a key role in leading the Exiles to two League Two play-off finals and a number of unforgettable cup runs.
Following coaching roles at Walsall and Swindon Town, he most recently managed the Wales Under-17s, having joined the FAW in 2024.
Also joining the new-look coaching team is Kendall - the son of former County shot-stopper Mark - who arrives as head of goalkeeping.
Kendall brings significant experience both as a player and coach. A former Wales youth international, he played as a goalkeeper for Crystal Palace, Cardiff City, and Shrewsbury Town, as well as representing several top Welsh clubs in domestic and European competitions.
Since beginning his coaching career in 2010, Kendall has held senior positions with Sheffield United, Cardiff City, Bristol City, the England Women’s National Team, and Fleetwood Town. Most recently, he served as assistant manager — and later interim manager — at Bath City in the National League South.