Newport County confirm the appointment of former Swansea, Leicester, Birmingham coach

Newport County confirm the appointment of former Swansea, Leicester, Birmingham coach Nelson Jardim as replacement for Graham Coughlan.

Jardim initially came into the club as “lead coach” at the beginning of this month, but has now taken up the role of head coach ahead of the upcoming League Two season.

The Welsh outfit parted company with manager Graham Coughlan by ‘mutual consent’ nearly a month ago, departing after 20 months in charge and with the Exiles finishing 18th in League Two last season.

Coughlan came in to replace James Rowberry in October 2022, ensuring the club avoided a relegation battle after a tough start to the 2022/23 season.

🤝 Newport County is pleased to confirm that Nelson Jardim has agreed a contract to become the club’s new head coach.#OneClubOneCounty

— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) July 16, 2024

CLUB STATEMENT:

Newport County is pleased to confirm that Nelson Jardim has agreed a contract to become the club’s new head coach.

Having originally taken the title of lead coach, chairman Huw Jenkins explained: “One or two matters needed to be discussed and agreed during the last few weeks before this announcement could be confirmed.

“Leaving his young family in Madeira (Portugal) to move to Newport and take up this challenge was a big decision for him to make. The club also needed written confirmation of Nelson’s settled status in the UK, which we have now received.

“Nelson has made a big impact at Newport County over recent weeks, not only with the staff and players, but he has also been instrumental in helping to bring a strong, positive feel around the club.

“Hopefully today’s update will allow everyone connected to the club from the staff, players and supporters to fully focus on the exciting new season ahead.’’

Jardim initially joined Swansea City as a coach under manager Paulo Sousa in 2009, before following the former Portuguese international and Champions League winner to Leicester City a year later.

From there he returned to Portugal to become assistant manager at LigaPro side Nacional before returning to Swansea in 2017 as a lead academy coach and then first team coach under Francesco Guidolin, Paul Clement and Carlos Carvalhal.

He departed the Liberty Stadium to become part of Aitor Karanka’s coaching team at Birmingham City in 2020, before returning home to become Maritimo B manager in his native Portugal.

Jardim will be joined by assistant head coach Dafydd Williams, goalkeeping coach Jim Hollman, head of performance Scott Wickens (strength and conditioning) and head analyst Connor McGaharan. Club legends David Pipe and Mark O’Brien will also remain part of the first team set-up.

The club has also appointed a new head physio in Triston Jenkins who will oversee the club’s medical department following extensive experience in the NHS, Swansea City Academy, Haverfordwest County and the WRU.

He will lead the existing backroom team with Dafydd Williams now given the title of assistant head coach after being first team coach under Coughlan and right-hand man Dunne.

Goalkeeping coach James Hollman, head of performance Scott Wickens (strength and conditioning), head analyst Connor McGaharan and club greats Mark O’Brien (player liaison) and David Pipe (kit man) remain.

County have also appointed a new head physio in Triston Jenkins – who has worked with Swansea City’s academy, Haverfordwest and the Welsh Rugby Union – after Sophie Birnie left and joined Carlisle at the end of last season.

NEWPORT’S FIXTURES FOR 24/25

Sat 10 Aug – A – Cheltenham Town – 3pm
Sat 17 Aug – H – Doncaster Rovers – 3pm
Sat 24 Aug – H – Accrington Stanley – 3pm
Sat 31 Aug – A – Morecambe – 3pm
Sat 7 Sep – H – Port Vale – 3pm
Sat 14 Sep – A – Swindon Town – 12.30pm
Sat 21 Sep – A – Barrow – 3pm
Sat 28 Sep – H – Crewe Alexandra – 3pm
Tue 1 Oct – H – Salford City – 7.45pm
Sat 5 Oct – A – Bradford City – 3pm
Sat 12 Oct – A – Harrogate Town – 3pm
Sat 19 Oct – H – Chesterfield – 3pm
Tue 22 Oct – A – Gillingham – 7.45pm
Sat 26 Oct – H – Fleetwood Town – 3pm
Sat 9 Nov – A – Tranmere Rovers – 3pm
Sat 16 Nov – H – Grimsby Town – 3pm
Sat 23 Nov – A – Notts County – 3pm
Tue 3 Dec – A – AFC Wimbledon – 7.45pm
Sat 7 Dec – H – Carlisle United – 3pm
Sat 14 Dec – A – Colchester United – 3pm
Sat 21 Dec – H – Milton Keynes Dons – 3pm
Thu 26 Dec – A – Bromley – 3pm
Sun 29 Dec – A – Walsall – 3pm
Wed 1 Jan – H – AFC Wimbledon – 3pm
Sat 4 Jan – H – Morecambe – 3pm
Sat 11 Jan – A – Accrington Stanley – 3pm
Sat 18 Jan – A – Port Vale – 3pm
Sat 25 Jan – H – Swindon Town – 3pm
Tue 28 Jan – A – Salford City – 7.45pm
Sat 1 Feb – H – Barrow – 3pm
Sat 8 Feb – A – Crewe Alexandra – 3pm
Sat 15 Feb – H – Bradford City – 3pm
Sat 22 Feb – H – Cheltenham Town – 3pm
Sat 1 Mar – A – Doncaster Rovers – 3pm
Tue 4 Mar – H – Gillingham – 7.45pm
Sat 8 Mar – A – Chesterfield – 3pm
Sat 15 Mar – H – Harrogate Town – 3pm
Sat 22 Mar – A – Grimsby Town – 3pm
Sat 29 Mar – H – Notts County – 3pm
Tue 1 Apr – H – Bromley – 7.45pm
Sat 5 Apr – A – Carlisle United – 3pm
Sat 12 Apr – H – Colchester United – 3pm
Fri 18 Apr – A – Milton Keynes Dons – 3pm
Mon 21 Apr – H – Walsall – 3pm
Sat 26 Apr – A – Fleetwood Town – 3pm
Sat 3 May – H – Tranmere Rovers – 3pm

Here’s how fans reacted as Newport County confirm the appointment of former Swansea, Leicester, Birmingham coach Nelson Jardim…

@CymruOllie: Very interesting, but I don’t hate it. Nelson seemed to hold himself well, both in the warm up and the matches. He’s clearly got the support of the players and has them working well, so I have no complaints on this. Nelson Jardim’s Exército Âmbar 🧡

@nicnacnoopixs: Great news – welcome to the team Gaffer 🧡

@William_Downs_: What an anti climax 🤣🤣🤣

@diesel_y2j: Yeah a bit underwhelming although probably a better outcome than some of the rumours.

@itsKateES: Cmon Nelson 👏🏻

Rob Santwris:
Hope we’ve more coming in seems way to light weight
DOF or manager or at least one of them needed

Ray Dickenson: Couldn’t get anyone else

Chris Davis: Sounds like it.

Paul Harper: Well that was rather an embarrassment for HJ. Wish our former assistant coach all the best as that was an almighty quick promotion!

@tomhwilliams23: Such an interesting appointment from Newport! 👀 When looking at potential candidates for this job, Jardim’s name did pop up, due to Swansea links, but I felt it was a tad unrealistic. Clearly very wrong there! Lots of pedigree, but doesn’t have experience at this level. 🤔🇵🇹

@CymruOllie: Honestly, I don’t think the lack of experience is that much of a worry. Realistically his remit is training & managing the squad on a matchday. From what the players have said, the training so far has been clear and precise. He’s definitely got their support 🧡

@tomhwilliams23: Definitely, and it’s more of a footnote as I am excited by it, L2 can be a bit of a shock tactically speaking, but it’ll be interesting to see what type of football you play!

@CymruOllie: Well based on Saturday’s friendly, we’ve moved to a 4-2-3-1 formation with plenty of passing, playing down the wings to attacking full backs and then low crosses or passing to the edge of the box and shooting. Much more creativity and pressing from the front

Rob Santwris: Worrying & hope I’m proved wrong but we seem to be ripping up the rule book and doing it Huw’s way Praying it comes off or we could be struggling

Rob Fudge: I get the impression that was the intention all along. Jardim was there in the background and involved in the player signings but couldn’t be confirmed until the paperwork, international clearance etc was all sorted out. Certainly don’t believe it was a case of “couldn’t get anyone else”.

Neil Thorneycroft: If you remember the Swansea way only started in League1. Till the Kenny Jacket was manager to get out of league too. Will the Swansea way work in League 2? I’ll give my full support of course.

Dave Smale: You see this kind of manoeuvre at loads of clubs – coach steps up as interim manager whilst a new manager is ‘sourced’ = basically means lets give him a go and if the players respond and the set up looks to be working, appoint him permanently. I don’t see it as embarrassing for HJ, just being savvy.

@robphillipshere: Surprise appointment by @NewportCounty chairman Huw Jenkins!!

Odd.

Jardim was initially brought into the club as "Lead Coach".

Now, 14 days later, he has been given the role as "Head Coach".

Have they missed out on getting their #1 target + decided to give the job to Jardim?

Would seem that way looking in as an outsider. https://t.co/g2r9cx2SoR

— Off The Line Blog (@OffTheLineBlog) July 16, 2024