Newport County confirms the appointment of the former coach and deputy manager of Manchester United undercover, David Hughes, the new manager.
Hughes, who has a strong background in youth development, previously had senior coaching roles in Cardiff City, Southampton, and led the Wales U17 team.
As a former professional footballer at Aston Villa and Wales, his career was canceled at 26 due to injury.
He will be trained by deputy manager Wayne Hatswell, a former Newport player and trainer with experience in Walsall, Swindon Town and Wales U17, and Lee Kendall as head of Torwart, who has trained in Sheffield United, Cardiff City and England Women’s team, among others.
Newport ended the 22nd season 2024/25 in the second division with 49 points from 46 played games, 7 points above the drop zone.
Read the Club declaration below, and Hughes expresses how excited he is about the challenge and the joint vision of the club.
Newport County is pleased to announce the appointment of the former @Manutd Trainer David Hughes as the new manager of the club.
Welcome to Rodney Parade, Dave #ONECLUBONECOUNTY
– Newport County AFC (@Newportcounty) May 23, 2025
Club statement:
Newport County is pleased to announce the appointment of the former coach of Manchester United David Hughes as the new manager of the club.
Hughes entered the exile with a two-year contract from Old Trafford, where he was an under-21 coach and anter manager and played an instrumental role in promoting the next generation of talents in one of the most famous academies in the world.
He is accompanied by the experienced Wayne Hatswell as deputy manager and Lee Kendall as head of the goalkeeper.
Hughes is a respected trainer with a proven track record in youth development and in the elite performance environment and brings with it a wealth of experience. His impressive curriculum vitae includes senior roles in Cardiff City and Southampton as head of the academy coaching and a four-year term as a manager of the Wales U17 National Team.
As a former professional footballer, Hughes came through the rows in the Aston Villa and made seven appearances in the Premier League before an injury at the end of the career at the age of 26 retired. In Carlisle United, Shrewsbury Town and Cardiff City spells and he represented Wales at an international level also included his career.
Over his time at Manchester United about was Hughes in Shrewsbury, Watford, Wales, Aston Villa and Southampton important coaching roles and gains a deep understanding of the development of development at all play levels.
After his appointment, Hughes said: “It is never easy to leave a great club like Manchester United, but I’m looking forward to what is ahead of us.
“They build relationships with people and that makes decisions like this challenging. But after they have spoken to a few occasions to the chairman, this became an uncomplicated decision with regard to the upcoming challenge and the common vision for the club.”
To Hughes as deputy manager is a familiar and respected figure at Rodney Parade – Hatswell.
Hatswell had a successful game in Newport in the 2011/12 season before moving into coaching. In two periods of the association from 2013 to 2022, he worked as a deputy manager and interim manager and played a key role in leading the exile to the two play-off final of the league and a series of unforgettable cup runs.
After the coaching roles in Walsall and in Swindon Town, he recently headed the wales under 17, after he joined the FAW in 2024.
Kendall-Son of the former County Shot-Stoppers Mark-, who arrives as head of the goalkeeper, is also a Kendall-Son of the former County Shot Stopper Marks, the New Look Coaching team.
Kendall brings significant experiences both as a player and as a trainer. As a former Wales Youth International, he played as goalkeeper for Crystal Palace, Cardiff City and Shrewsbury Town and represented several Welsh Welsh clubs in domestic and European competitions.
Since the beginning of his coaching career in 2010, Kendall Senior positions at Sheffield United, Cardiff City, Bristol City, the English women’s national team and Fleetwood Town. Most recently, he was deputy manager – and later interim manager – in Bath City in the National League South.
This is how the fans reacted when Newport County confirmed the appointment of the former coach of Manchester United as the new manager …
@Pozu72: Welcome David, seems to be an exciting appointment, let us do that.
@Thomasncfc18: Seems to be a good appointment, especially when he brings hats back. The man is a genius and a legend
@Markgcoffey: Hughsie is our gaffer… .
@Luffers70: Hughsie Hughsie
@ Jamieandson93: A good guy, good football knowledge and brain!
@ brimble_damon1: I am glad that it is made, delighted hats are also back, no coincidence that things went wrong for Rowberry after his demolition. The fact that the job title is manager and not head coach is also interesting. I hope this means that Jenkins withdraws with the recruitment
@c94_utc: Let’s go! Utfc
@Ncafthoughts: I will not lie, I’ll sum that !! I have a very, very good feeling for this appointment. The bloody county up !!!
@Ncafthoughts: After what I read about David Hughes a few days ago, he is thoughtful and articulated. I really hope that he can get the fans up and out of the field again. Do not underestimate the meaning that David Hughes is more of our new manager than head coach.
@Ut_county: David Hughes’ Barmy Army lets go
@William_downs_: First loan that Gabriele Biancheri signed by United would be a good start! I delight to see
@Neddthomas: David Hughes looks like a brilliant appointment for Newport. Did a great job for our academy and did the man UTD Academy Brillant. Expect that he cuts off well there
