Latest news with #Jardim
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Newport want new manager in place by end of the month
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 Jardim recently left his role as head coach by mutual consent after just under a season in charge of the League Two 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 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." 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."
BBC News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Let's get juices flowing for next season
Caretaker boss Dafydd Williams wants to put smiles on fans' faces in Newport County's final match of the season - and get their "juices flowing" for who took charge following Nelson Jardim's departure last month, says it has been a "disappointing" campaign with County sitting 21st in League Two, without a win in the past eight he wants to end the season on a high when they host Tranmere Rovers at Rodney Parade on Saturday, 3 May (15:00 BST), urging his players to show more grit and determination than they have at times this season. "I want to see a Newport County performance. I want to see fighting spirit, aggression and a competitive edge to us," said Williams. "I want us to get more attacking outcomes and defend our goal a bit better. There's been a lot this season where some might feel we've become disassociated with what a Newport team looks like and feels like."We want to give everyone a great afternoon to finish off what's been a disappointing season."I'd love nothing more than to give them that feeling at 5pm on Saturday that 'I've watched (a classic) Newport County today'."Hopefully they can see a performance that gets the juices flowing for next season."Williams stepped in for the final two games of the season following Jardim's departure by mutual consent after just under a season in recent months County have struggled to string wins together and climb the table, winning only two of their past 15 games. But Williams, who says he is open to succeeding Jardim on a permanent basis if asked, believes fans can feel optimistic of improvements in 2025-26."I do think it's an exciting time for the club mid-to-long term," he said."Things need to change, we need to learn from a lot of things. But equally, if we can bring back that Newport County feeling on a Saturday afternoon, then I think it'd be a really enjoyable place to be, and something I'd love to be a part of."
BBC News
24-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Head coach Jardim leaves Newport by mutual consent
Head coach Nelson Jardim has left Newport County by mutual consent after one season in charge of the League Two 46-year-old Portuguese coach took up the role on an initial one-year deal last summer."I have known Nelson for 15 years and we have always been open and honest with each other,'' said chairman Huw Jenkins. "He felt that it was best for him and the club to move on with just two games left and our league status now secure."Jardim hinted to BBC Sport Wales last week that he was considering his future at the Exiles, with his wife and young children still living in Portugal."When we started everything, it suited me and it suited the club to have a one-year contract," Jardim said. "The changes were for the club and for me as well, I have a young family and we need to assess everything."We didn't change the plan. That conversation has to come at the end of the season, I've always felt confident with that and since the start, I have given my life to the club, 24 hours, seven days a week." Newport say the decision was made at a meeting with the club's chairman Jenkins after Monday's goalless draw at home to two games remaining Newport are 20th in League Two on 49 points, eight above the relegation zone."I can't thank Nelson enough for his hard work, commitment and loyalty, especially as he left his young family in Portugal to take on the role," added Jenkins, who completed a takeover of the club in January 2024."He took on a tough challenge with lots of changes at the club from a squad overhaul to the way we operate and work."His main goal was to keep the club in League Two during a season of transition so that we can start building for the future. It took us longer than we probably wanted, but he feels that with the job completed then it was time for him to look for a new challenge."Having taken on board his thoughts and the timing, it also allows us the space to reflect and plan over the final two games and the summer to appoint a replacement as quickly as possible."Jardim took charge of the club following the departure of Graham Coughlan in June 2024 with Jenkins promising a "new direction" for the Exiles then signed 17 new players during last summer's transfer window, while Jenkins is now looking to make his second managerial appointment in the coming months."It's been a difficult season at times, but considering all the experience we have gained over the last 12 months then I believe there is a clear understanding of what we need to move us forward as a team and a club," said Jenkins."We will be looking to bring in the right manager or head coach to build on those last 12 months so we can start the season strongly; move the club forward and challenge for the top part of League Two."
South Wales Argus
23-04-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Newport County boss delighted to keep League Two status
County are now safe from relegation after the Easter Monday games. Jardim's men battled to a 0-0 draw with automatic promotion hopefuls Walsall, despite ending the game with 10 men, while Carlisle United's draw at Accrington Stanley means they can no longer catch the Exiles. County can now look forward to a trip to Fleetwood Town on Saturday and a home finale against Tranmere Rovers before the summer break, knowing the job is done. And Jardim believes his players deserve huge credit for two hard-earned points over the Easter weekend, after they also claimed a 0-0 draw at MK Dons on Good Friday. "It is very positive, especially against the opposition we have played," said the Portuguese. "Two valuable points have helped us get over the line and get to a mathematically safe situation. "We don't hide the fact that we have conceded a lot of goals, down to some lack of experience. "But we all knew that it was going to be tough. I knew I had to be a very positive coach and have a growth mindset with the players, because I had to give 12 EFL debuts and play players with limited minutes." Jardim's first campaign in charge has had many ups and downs, but he is confident that the young squad will benefit from the experience as they aim higher next season. "We knew those [difficult] moments would come, but hopefully the team is settling down now," he said. "This is a transitional period, which we knew was going to be tough, but playing against a promotion-chasing team I couldn't ask for more from my team. "I'm proud of what we have been doing this season," he continued. "Sometimes things don't go our way. Set plays have let us down in a lot of games, but I think this league, it's tough in every game. You can't say you're going to win or lose any game. It's about what you're able to deliver on the day. "It's about being consistent. Sometimes teams are not able to do that and we went through those spells. We were expecting to have that this season. "Hopefully next season the club will be much better. Hopefully that stability that the club needs, having been through this experience will help the club." Having finished last season in 18th place with 55 points, County can still match that total with two more victories. They are currently 20th on 49 points having not won in seven games. Fleetwood are 15th after losing three of their last four.
South Wales Argus
21-04-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Newport County AFC League Two safety confirmed, Walsall 0-0
County knew a win over promotion-chasing Walsall in yesterday's early kick-off at Rodney Parade would finish the job. A battling 0-0 draw after Ciaran Brennan was sent off 12 minutes from time wasn't enough to get over the line, but Carlisle had to win to keep Nelson Jardim's men sweating. And the Cumbrians, now managed by former Wales boss Mark Hughes, could only manage a 1-1 draw at Accrington so cannot now catch the Exiles. Speaking before safety was confirmed, Jardim said he was happy to secure a draw against Walsall - especially after the visitors had a stoppage-time winner eventually ruled out for handball. "It's a valuable point against a very good team that has spent a lot of months at the top of the table," said Jardim. "The way we competed and performed, and kept another clean sheet, and showed the fight and the organisation we need was positive. "I think it was quite even, and for spells we were the better team. After the red card we had to adjust a couple of things and the injuries also had an impact." Brennan was shown a straight red for what was deemed a dangerous challenge on Taylor Allen. "The red card was in the 78th minute but, with injury time, we had to play for 22 minutes a man down and we showed the character and the fight that sometimes these boys have been accused of not having," added Jardim, who felt the officials got it right in disallowing Oisin McEntee's goal at the death. "We could see it clearly. It was a handball and it was the right decision." In a dramatic finale to what had been a humdrum Easter Monday contest, County also lost substitute Josh Martin to injury after a collision with Walsall goalkeeper Tommy Simkin. "It was a nasty clash," said Jardim. "I can recall Jacob Carney getting sent off earlier in the season for a very similar situation. Obviously, with the amount of blood he had in his face, it looked serious." Martin is likely to miss the Exiles' penulimate match at Fleetwood Town on Saturday, while veteran defender James Clarke's season looks to be over after he was forced off with a groin strain in the first half. "Clarkey has been great, he's been playing a lot of games and we haven't been able to rotate the team as we'd wish," said Jardim. "He brings that experience to the back line that we lacked for part of the season. "But we knew that two games within four days was not going to be easy for him. "He had to come off with cramps in the last game but we felt it was the right decision to play him again. "It has come with a cost of losing him for the rest of the season."
