As the new season approaches, teams across the EFL are scrambling for deals to improve their squads. However, others are on the prowl for a new man to lead the team forward.
One of those teams is Newport County, with the League Two outfit parting company with former manager Graham Coughlan after nearly two years at the helm. With the first fixtures of the 2024-25 campaign only seven weeks away, the Exiles are looking for a new boss as they enter their 12th consecutive season in the fourth tier. Here are five managers they could consider.
Dino Maamria – The Ex-Assistant Manager
Dino Maamria is a familiar name at Rodney Parade, having served as number two to former manager Graham Westley for a brief period during the 2016-17 season. As a manager in his own right, the Tunisian has experience in both League One and League Two having managed Stevenage, Oldham Athletic and Burton Albion, being sacked from the latter in December 2023.
Maamria may bring stability and familiarity to South Wales, but his managerial record isn’t fantastic, with a win rate of 34% from 174 games. Most of his jobs have been mid-to-lower table teams though, so he may suit a County team who finished 18th in League Two last term.
Rob Page – The Ambitious Target
Rob Page makes this list despite having just been sacked as manager of the Welsh national team. This signing may be a push for County as Page is likely to demand high wages and has a fairly strong CV given his international achievements.
Despite his impressive track record having guided Wales to a World Cup and European Championship, his tenure ended on a sour note after a poor run of form since the World Cup, with critics claiming he failed to get the best out of a golden generation.
This deal would be a huge departure from Page’s previous gig, but he may be willing to get back into the club game in his next job, having previously managed Port Vale and Northampton Town. Purely given his pedigree though, this would be a huge coup.
Pete Wild – The Progression Candidate
Pete Wild is a name known across the Football League and particularly League Two, after two seasons where he stabilised Barrow as an established fourth tier club, with ninth and eighth-placed finishes respectively. His sides play decent football and often punch above their weight, qualities which are sure to be admired in South Wales.
The 39-year-old left the Cumbrian outfit in May following a post-season review in the wake of a season where the Bluebirds finished a place outside the League Two play-offs. The only reservations here would be that he may be looking for a job in the division above after his recent success, as well as the circumstances behind his leaving Holker Street. If him and the hierarchy click though, this would likely be a successful partnership.
Cameron Toshack – The Chairman’s Choice
This is a move which is made likely by the make-up of the hierarchy at Newport. Chairman Huw Jenkins held the same role at Swansea City, overseeing the Swans’ ascent to the Premier League from the fourth tier whilst acting as chairman from 2002 to 2019.
Cameron Toshack, son of former Swansea, Real Madrid and Wales manager John, held roles at the club for much of the latter stages of Jenkins’ tenure, so is well known to those high up at Rodney Parade. He served as a youth coach at the Swansea.com Stadium, winning the 2017 Premier League Cup, before embarking on his own managerial career at Pafos FC in Cyprus. Most recently, he returned to the UK serving as assistant manager at Leeds United under Jesse Marsch.
This would likely be a safer move for Newport based purely on Jenkins’ contacts, but it is feasible. Toshack is clearly a competent coach, but his lack of managerial experience in the English pyramid could work against him.
Alan Sheehan – The Gamble
Staying with more local options, former Notts County and current Swansea assistant Alan Sheehan could be an option if the Exiles want to make a riskier appointment. Despite taking charge of the Swans on an interim basis, he currently has no permanent managerial experience. That being said, he knows the league, having spent much of his playing days in the third and fourth tiers. Given his Championship coaching experience the 37-year-old Irishman could be the perfect choice for both parties to climb the ladder.
In the statement confirming Coughlan’s departure, a change of direction was cited, with many interpreting this to mean a change from a manager to a head coach. Sheehan would suit this more modern role due to his current job, and a move would suit both parties due to the clubs’ proximity along the M4.
Writer’s View
It’s clear Newport want to go in a different direction after Coughlan, and it’s looking probable they’ll appoint a younger manager who plays attractive football, likely in the ‘Head Coach’ model. Out of these five options, two jump out at fitting the bill: Pete Wild and Alan Sheehan. Sheehan would be a gamble on a manager with no experience but could potentially be an inspired appointment, while Wild is clearly more established and a safer pair of hands. If given the choice of these two alone, it would be hard to bet against Wild taking the hotseat at the club.
