Newport want new manager in place by end of the month

Huw Jenkins spent 17 years with Swansea City

Newport County want to appoint a new manager by the end of May and chairman Huw Jenkins says there has been plenty of interest in the vacancy.

Nelson Jardim recently left his role as head coach by mutual consent after just under a season in charge of the League Two club.

Assistant Dafydd Williams stepped up to take interim charge for the final two games of the season, with Jenkins looking to make a permanent appointment by the end of the month.

"I think it's important it's done in May," Jenkins told BBC Radio Wales Sport.

"But first and foremost it has to be right for us – anybody who comes in to manage our club, it has to be right financially.

"They have to know clearly where they are and what we're trying to do."

Former Swansea City chairman Jenkins become Newport's majority shareholder and chairman in January 2024.

Jenkins confirmed there has been more interest from candidates in the managerial position than last year, when Graham Coughlan left.

"Things have definitely changed a little bit, the perception outwardly on Newport County has changed a little bit," Jenkins said.

"Some of the conversations I had last summer are different to now because we've had many phone calls off people who are interested in putting their name forward.

"People can see and probably feel what we're trying to do as a club, and perhaps they may have been reluctant to dip their toes in the water last season and they wanted to see how things went.

"Perhaps they've reconsidered that and feel we can provide as a football club the opportunity for people."

'Learn a few lessons'

Jenkins insisted appointing Jardim as head coach last July was not a mistake but acknowledged the team had struggled for consistency.

"We started the season in a reasonable way, winning a few games, and went on a period of losing a few games," Jenkins added.

"That sort of form continued right through the season.

"Every time we thought we were getting somewhere we went backwards, and when we would go backwards we somehow found something that got us forward again.

"It's slightly been below the word comfortable but overall I think we've got to take it on the chin.

"We've got to quickly move on and make sure we learn a few lessons from this year and make sure we're better next year."

Newport's disappointing season ended with a 4-1 defeat at home to Tranmere Rovers which saw them finish just above the relegation zone.

Jenkins wants to create a buzz at Newport once again with the club challenging for the play-offs as well as FA Cup runs.

"I didn't get involved with the club just to have the odd cup run and, like we have done the last couple of years, just to avoid relegation," Jenkins said.

"I decided to take the risk and bring in younger players to develop – we've learnt from that from this season.

"Getting into play-off finals like Newport have done with the last 8-10 years is important, it's vital.

"We've got to create that proper mentality within the club that we want to do that regularly.

"We want to be up in the top 10 – the odd year you're going to get in there and have a chance and we also need to be around that fighting our way.

"My main remit – and it goes back to what I've experienced in the past – is making sure every year you build on it and every year you get better than the year before.

"If we continue that we'll certainly have a chance in the next few years to get those feelings back around the club.

"It's important we get that feeling back at the club."