​Christian Fuchs has indicated that a combination of factors led to his decision to resign as Newport County manager on the eve of pre-season. The Exiles are now searching for a new head coach for the 2026-27 campaign after the former Austria international’s surprising departure at the end of June. The club announced his exit just two days before the squad, including six new signings, returned for training. Newport owner Huw Jenkins disclosed that the 40-year-old had told him he “didn’t have a lot to give us” after a turbulent seven months in charge. “There are many factors that came into play and I didn’t see at that moment that it was the right time to carry on,” Fuchs told BBC East Midlands.
Fuchs, who won the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016, chose to leave less than two months after helping County maintain their Football League status. The Exiles were bottom of League Two when he took charge in November and only survived on the final day of the season in May, fighting back to win at Barrow. “Those five, almost six months I was there were tough,” Fuchs said, reflecting on his time as manager, where he replaced David Hughes in November. “I came into a club that looked doomed to relegation, and turning it around fills me with a lot of pride. I really enjoyed every single day I went in, the players gave me so much energy.” He added that it was hugely satisfying to avoid relegation, preserve League Two status, and celebrate on the last day of the season.
Chris Todd, who worked closely with Fuchs last season, has taken over as interim manager as Newport prepares for the new campaign. The Exiles will head to Southern League Premier South outfit Gloucester City, managed by former County coach Dafydd Williams, on Saturday, July 11 (15:00 BST) for a third pre-season friendly after defeats of Bristol Manor Farm and Newport City. Newport County will continue to assess their options as they plot their path forward for the 2026-27 season.