Latest news with #WayneHatswell
South Wales Argus
27-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
David Hughes ready for Newport County job after Man Utd exit
The Exiles confirmed the appointment of the 47-year-old on Friday – as manager and not head coach – on a two-year contract after he left his role with Manchester United Under-21s. Hughes heads a new-look management team with Wayne Hatswell returning as his assistant and Lee Kendall, son of club great Mark, arriving as goalkeeper coach. They arrive to lead a County side that successfully stayed away from a relegation dogfight last season under Nelson Jardim after a summer of change, although a slump in the run-in saw them finish in the last safe spot. There is plenty to be done before the League Two campaign gets under way on the first weekend of August and Hughes, whose appointment was agreed but not rubber-stamped a while ago, has been busy. 'Work for us has already started. We've discussed player returns, pre-season structure, and the messages we need to deliver,' said Hughes, who is yet to be put up for questions from the media but has done an interview with the club. 'We're not reinventing the wheel. There will be clear markers for success — physically, technically, and tactically. 'We'll be demanding, but we'll also make it enjoyable. The coaching environment will instil key ideas daily, not just on matchdays. On good days or bad, the standards must be evident.' County have plenty of players returning after joining in the summer of 2024 on two-year deals while they are in talks with the influential quartet of goalkeeper Nick Townsend, centre-back James Clarke, full-back/midfielder Shane McLoughlin and midfielder Aaron Wildig. However, there is a widespread feeling that more quality and experience is needed if the Exiles are to climb the table next season. County will hope there is plenty to celebrate next season (Image: Juan Gasparini/Huw Evans Agency) 'There will be relentless standards from the first day. Successful teams have clarity and non-negotiables — we'll make sure that's in place from the outset,' said Hughes. 'Experience isn't just about age — it's about games and level. We need players who understand this level and can accelerate how we want to play. 'We're targeting players who bring energy, resilience, and the ability to drive standards. Newport is a club built on resilience, and we want that to be clear every time we play.' Hughes will make the step up from age-grade football to the serious stuff of League Two, when livelihoods are on the line. Fears over his experience when leading in the EFL should be allayed by the return of Wayne Hatswell, who formed a wonderful partnership with Michael Flynn. Hatswell also stayed on to work with his friend James Rowberry and he proved to be an invaluable sounding board; it was only when he left for a reunion with Flynn at Walsall that things started to go wrong. 'I feel 100 per cent ready,' said Hughes. 'The coaching team we have is crucial. I'm delighted with the staff the club has and those we're bringing in. 'There's no fear — only excitement. We have clarity in what success looks like and how we'll measure it. We'll hold players to high standards every day.' 'When managers are appointed, I always look at their staff. Different skill sets are essential,' he continued. 'Wayne and I have similarities and differences — which is great. His experience will be vital. Lee Kendall is also coming in. He's not just a goalkeeper coach, he's a very well-rounded coach.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hughes and Hatswell could be a 'recipe for success' - O'Brien
Former defender Mark O'Brien believes the combination of new manager David Hughes and returning assistant boss Wayne Hatswell could be a "recipe for success" for Newport County. Hughes, 47, has signed a two-year deal at the League Two club, leaving his role as under-21s coach at Manchester United. The Welshman replaces Nelson Jardim who left the Exiles two weeks before the end of a season which saw County finish 22nd in the league table. Hatswell, 50, was previously number two at Newport under Mike Flynn and leaves a role in the Football Association of Wales (FAW) age-grade set-up to return to Rodney Parade. "Realistically I think it's a really positive appointment and to add to that I think the appointment of Wayne Hatswell coming in alongside him is another massive thing for the club," O'Brien told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast. "He's someone who has probably been through a lot with Newport and seen a lot of positives so to add that experience along with a new manager who understands what it's like to work with young players - being at Manchester United's under-21s - there's going to be a level of standards that will be expected of the players next year. "[Hatswell's] record speaks for itself where he's taken Newport to really big heights over seasons when I played there and hopefully Dave Hughes is going to be somebody who refines that a little bit more and who looks like he's going to be able to work with young players, which the Newport County squad have a lot of. It could be a very good recipe for success that has come in the door."
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hughes and Hatswell could be a 'recipe for success' - O'Brien
Former defender Mark O'Brien believes the combination of new manager David Hughes and returning assistant boss Wayne Hatswell could be a "recipe for success" for Newport 47, has signed a two-year deal at the League Two club, leaving his role as under-21s coach at Manchester Welshman replaces Nelson Jardim who left the Exiles two weeks before the end of a season which saw County finish 22nd in the league 50, was previously number two at Newport under Mike Flynn and leaves a role in the Football Association of Wales (FAW) age-grade set-up to return to Rodney Parade."Realistically I think it's a really positive appointment and to add to that I think the appointment of Wayne Hatswell coming in alongside him is another massive thing for the club," O'Brien told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast."He's someone who has probably been through a lot with Newport and seen a lot of positives so to add that experience along with a new manager who understands what it's like to work with young players - being at Manchester United's under-21s - there's going to be a level of standards that will be expected of the players next year."[Hatswell's] record speaks for itself where he's taken Newport to really big heights over seasons when I played there and hopefully Dave Hughes is going to be somebody who refines that a little bit more and who looks like he's going to be able to work with young players, which the Newport County squad have a lot of. It could be a very good recipe for success that has come in the door."
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hughes leaves Man Utd to manage Newport County
Newport County have named Manchester United youth coach David Hughes as their new has signed a two-year deal at the League Two club, leaving his role as under-21s coach and assistant manager at Old 47-year-old Welshman replaces Nelson Jardim at Rodney Parade, who left the Exiles two weeks before the end of the season."Leaving a great club like Manchester United is never easy, but I'm excited about what lies ahead here," Hughes said."You build relationships with people and that makes decisions like this challenging."But after speaking to the chairman (Huw Jenkins) on a few occasions, it became a straightforward decision in terms of the challenge ahead and the shared vision for the club." Hughes, a former Aston Villa, Shrewsbury Town and Cardiff City defender, had been the leading contender for the job following Jardim's exit by mutual held lead academy roles at Cardiff and Southampton before joining United in August 2022, Hughes has developed an impressive reputation at youth will now be charged by Jenkins to oversee an upturn in fortunes at Rodney Parade for a youthful squad that finished 22nd in Wrexham-born former Wales Under-21s international – who also spent four years as manager of Wales Under-17s – will be assisted by Wayne Hatswell, who was previously number two at Newport under Mike leaves a role in the Football Association of Wales (FAW) age-grade set-up to return to Newport, while Lee Kendall has been named the new head of goalkeeping.
