Newport fans left gutted at shock managerial news announced

Newport fans have been left gutted at shock managerial news which was announced early on Friday morning before the weekend’s game.

Boss Michael Flynn is set to end his four-year reign at the Exiles, according to Argus on County after Saturday’s game with Scunthorpe United in League Two.

The 40-year-old has been in charge since 2017 and has a contract that runs through until the end of the season.

Huge developments at County – boss Michael Flynn is going to leave after four years in charge.

Tomorrow’s game with Scunthorpe at Rodney Parade to be a last hurrah for the club great.https://t.co/yUm1OcEMHU

— Argus on County (@argusoncounty) October 1, 2021

Flynn said he needed to consider his future after the agonising playoff final defeat to Morecambe in May but instead chose to stay on to start the new term, bringing in 15 players in a busy summer transfer window.

However, it is understood that the manager will not finish the season and this weekend will be his final act in the Rodney Parade hotseat.

His assistant Wayne Hatswell is likely to take over until the end of the campaign.

County have made a steady start to the 2021/22 season but Flynn has been frustrated by their inconsistency, being left furious after the performances in losses to Northampton and Barrow.

Those defeats sandwiched a fine display in beating Walsall and led to the boss saying: “I don’t want to keep having reactions. I want to put a run together.”

The manager has also been angered at the club’s training facilities after having to prepare for games at Undy AFC and Caerleon AFC rather than their Spytty Park base, which is set to be used by Newport RFC.

Flynn, who had three spells as a player with Newport, spearheaded County’s great escape from relegation in 2017 when they were 11 points adrift with 12 games to go.

He came agonisingly close taking the club up to the third tier of English football for the first time since 1987 only to suffer controversial playoff final defeats to Tranmere Rovers in 2019 and Morecambe last season.

Flynn’s teams saw plenty of strong league performances as well as cup runs that brought much-needed income into the club.

In 2018, they knocked out then-Championship club Leeds United to earn an FA Cup tie with Tottenham Hotspur, with Harry Kane’s late equaliser denying County a famous win but leading to a lucrative replay at Wembley.

The following year the Exiles knocked out Leicester and Middlesbrough to set up a tie with Manchester City in Newport, with Pep Guardiola’s side winning 4-1.

Last season, County also earned victories against Swansea and Watford in the Carabao Cup before being knocked out on penalties by Newcastle, then they suffered a shootout defeat to Brighton in the FA Cup.

The campaign ended in controversy against Morecambe – with the Exiles denied one clear spot kick before the solitary goal came from a disputed one – and Flynn failed to get the promotion he craved for his hometown club.

Twitter users reacted with Newport fans left gutted at the shock managerial news announced…

@luffers70: Sad to see him go but it’s been coming. I, for one, will wish him all the best as without him we’d be in the Conference or worse

@GParselle: A ‘Great Escape’, 2 play off finals (robbed in both) and cup runs like we’ve never seen before. Thank you young Michael, it’s been great! 👏👏👏👏 🧡🖤

@ExiledBen: Absolutely devastated

@ambertomtom Odd he is leaving at this stage of the season, can only think he feels he has taken the club as far as he can.

@DuncanStanleyS1: Flynn has been incredible! So sad to hear he is leaving! 😢

@paulocounty: Flynny has been an absolute legend at the club, but it’s all about who we bring in next now. No fannying about like post-JE. Hope we bring in a suitable replacement asap.

@ajharding1999: Not ready for this one bit 😩

@JPouch: Sad day! Mike has done some amazing things at the club! Thank you Mr Flynn! Best of luck in tour next venture! 🖤🧡

@kerrysw60436286: A total legend I am devastated by the news. We have to ask ourselves why he is leaving? Did the players let him down or did he feel it was time go. Either way the Flynny haters have got there wish. I didn’t want him to go but I wish him all the best thanks for all you did

@ChardAlan: Wish you all the best Flynny thank you just wish you was staying

@DanielCaddy3: Shame absolutely gutted

@davidmorgan359: Strange one to leave “after” a game and it be common knowledge 🤷‍♂️…. but hey, we’ve had a fantastic 4 years under Flynny, some journey for sure, but we move on, that Journey Continues. 🖤🧡

@AndrewBeckett4: Massive shame it has ended like this after he rejuvenated the club following the failures of Butcher, Feeney, Sheridan & Westley. Decisive action needed though, Hats made it clear he didn’t want to be a manager so why give it to him for the season?

@Urbanupscale: I can only imagine the support tomoz will be absolutely overwhelming. Deep down praying that he is just rustling feather but if not, Only wish him the best and a massive thank you to a great man and giving us great times as supporters. We salute you Flynny! Just wondering where?

@snufflerryan: This is a sad day for the County. Careful what you wish for is my thinking on it. I’d like to thank Flynny though, for giving me and the boys some of the best memories any County fan has ever had. He should get an emotional send off tomorrow, and I wish him the best.

@Ewanjack_: county going down with a tenner in the bank, a tenner in the bank

@ryantom1126: Well that’s not something I wanted to wake up to boys ngl

@Jordan_BRFC: Hurry up and get Barton gone

@GillsInTheBlood: Can’t see him being out of work for long unless he makes that choice himself. Has done a phenomenal job at Newport County.

@StuartAkister: Never easy losing to Barrow……..

@ZinedineF: Wayne Hatswell taking over. All training sessions will consist of smashing the ball towards goal from improbable distances.

@jamiedharris: Testament to Flynn that the standards we hold the club to these days are so high. So much progress over the last 4 years.

@JNPhillips4: Sad news but all the very best to Michael Flynn. What a brilliant job he did with little resources. The ‘Great Escape’ in 2017, and those FA Cup giant killings will live long in the memory for the Amber Army

@CymruOllie: There aren’t word to describe what this man has done for the club. From the great escape, to numerous cup runs to the 2 playoff finals. He will arguably be our greatest modern day manager and at the table of greatest ever. Whoever steps in has a massive job. Thank you Flynny.

@JamieRob3rts: Wasn’t expecting to wake up to this. We’ve had a very tough start to the season, but an amazing few years. I’ve welcomed the stability after a previous 30 years of uncertainty. Those calling for his head recently, I hope it doesn’t come back to bite you in the arse. #ncafc

@phoenix1331: Gutted to hear this. He should be going out on a high, not at this stage of the season. Should have left after Wembley. Flynn will always be a County legend no matter where he ends up. What a rollercoaster ride he’s taken us on! Hoping RP is rocking for him tomorrow. #UTP

@LKBusuttil: This man has given us the greatest moment in the clubs history, he has taken us to new heights in the last 4 years and he has given us international status on certain occasions. Thank you for all the memories, Flynny. When it comes to a county legend, you’re at the top

@caitlinjjwebb: This is really, really sad. Lots going on behind the scene clearly, club not in a good place at all. Absolutely devastated

@ianstreet67: Absolutely gutted by this if true. For me Flynny a complete legend and every Newport fan should be forever grateful for what he has given. Should get the freedom of the city in my view.

@SIABOTSMITH: Seen the dross he’s signed in the dressing room and decided to scarper. Thanks for the memories flynny end of an era UTC

With Newport fans left gutted at the shock managerial news announced on Friday morning, what do you make of this? Let us know via our socials!