Christian Fuchs: Newport County chairman Huw Jenkins shocked by manager’s exit

Fuchs’ departure means Jenkins is looking for a new manager for the third successive summer, having appointed former Manchester United academy coach David Hughes in 2025 and Portuguese coach Nelson Jardim in 2024.

Jenkins says he’d like to have a new manager in place by the time County start their new League Two campaign on 15 August.

In the meantime, former County defender Chris Todd, who joined the coaching staff at Rodney Parade in March, is overseeing the start of pre-season training having been placed in temporary charge following Fuchs’ exit.

“Chris has got an opportunity to settle into the role and do what he can, but I knew full well what he could give us anyway,” said Jenkins.

“Obviously what happens next depends on who else is in the market.

“After putting the statement out about Christian leaving us, I had 50 or 60 names [interested in the manager’s job] very, very quickly.

“Most of them you can discount within two minutes, and then you look through what may be right for us and it takes a bit longer obviously to whittle that down.”

Former Newport boss James Rowberry and former County midfielder Andrew Crofts – both part of Craig Bellamy’s coaching staff with Wales – are among those who have been linked with the role.

Some fans want former Wales boss Mark Hughes, who left his post as Carlisle boss in May, while former Bolton and West Ham striker Kevin Nolan has also been mentioned as a possible contender.

“Two or three of those were news to me – they weren’t on the initial list,” said Jenkins.

“Lots of names get circulated and bandied about, but we can’t forget where we were last year and where we are as a club at this point in time.”

The former Swansea City chairman says he must ensure whoever he appoints is the right fit for Newport.

“Do we get on the bandwagon of just taking on managers that move from club to club and get sacked week-in, week-out?” added Jenkins.

“I need to do better than that, to make sure we make good choices.

“I think it’s important things are clarified before the season starts.

“But I’d love it to be before that, so everybody’s fully set and behind the manager moving forward, whoever it is…I think the timescales are as simple as that.”