Graham Coughlan: Year at Newport 'the biggest challenge of my football career'
- Published
Graham Coughlan succeeded James Rowberry as Newport County manager in October 2022
Graham Coughlan says his year as Newport County manager has been one of the biggest challenges of his life.
Newport's home game with Walsall, on Friday, will be 12 months to the day the Irishman was appointed to the helm at Rodney Parade.
The club are currently in the throes of a takeover by former Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins, have a lengthy injury list and their form has dipped.
"It's been the biggest challenge of my football career," said Coughlan.
"It's been brilliant, the supporters, the fan base, the football club, every player I have worked with, I have loved every minute of it.
"Yes, tough times, yes it's not been ideal, but I have loved every moment of it.
"Every day you seem to be working in the face of adversity but I love that part of it."
The former Bristol Rovers and Mansfield boss, who joked his wife and children who have "got rid" of him for the past 12 months are the real winners, added: "I would have loved it if circumstances had been much better but it is what it is.
"We do the best with what we have, we take great pride in what we do and we take great pride in the club. It's been brilliant.
"I don't think everybody will agree with me there. But from my point of view it has been a massive challenge one of the biggest challenges I have taken on in my life."
Coughlan arrived with the club in 19th position, two points above the drop zone, before guiding them to a respectable 15th position last term. The club lost some senior players in the summer and a year on, Newport have stumbled after a promising start and go into the Walsall game in 20th - again two points above the bottom two.
Candidly Coughlan, operating with one of the lowest budgets in League Two, said: "I don't think we have made the progress I would have liked to have made.
"I think it's been one thing after another, which is really difficult. Have I had a clear run at it to make the progress I would have liked? Probably not.
"But I suppose that is what makes the team, the club, the man, that I am - the adversity and the fire fighting. I think I have become a better manager, better person dealing with issues and problems."
Newport will assess 11 goal top scorer Will Evans, who was replaced at the interval in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Swindon, along with midfielder Aaron Wildig, who missed the game with a head injury, ahead of the Walsall match.
The Exiles have just one win in the last eight league games but Coughlan is convinced his squad will rally.
"We have our fights in the changing room, we have our fights on the training ground, we have our debates, we have our arguments.," he said.
"But we look after each other, we take care of each other's backs and I think you can see that with the players.
"My experience and knowledge tells me this will turn. The run we are on at the moment, the way we are playing, the chances we are creating this will turn. It cannot last."