Newport County have announced that Manchester United youth coach David Hughes will be their new manager ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Hughes, who was under-21s coach and assistant manager at Old Trafford, has signed a two-year deal at Rodney Parade.

The 47-year-old Welshman replaces Nelson Jardim at Rodney Parade, who left the Exiles two weeks before the end of the season.

He will be joined by the experienced Wayne Hatswell as assistant manager and Lee Kendall as head of goalkeeping.

“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.”

As a player, Hughes came through the Aston Villa academy, before having spells at Carlisle United, Shrewsbury Town, Cardiff City, and Port Talbot Town.

He was appeared at international level for Wales U21s and Wales B during the 1990s.

Hughes’ only previous senior first team management experience came 20 years ago at Barry Town United, but he has had leading academy roles at Southampton and Cardiff City prior to his role as a ‘Professional Development Phase’ coach at Manchester United.

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