Fuchs Steps Down After Seven Months at Newport County
Christian Fuchs departed Newport County last week after a tenure of just seven months as manager. The former Austria defender resigned on 27 June, a decision that surprised and disappointed the club's chairman, Huw Jenkins.
Fuchs has not publicly explained his reasons for leaving, which occurred less than two months after he helped Newport secure their Football League status on the final day of the previous season.
In an extensive interview with Wales, Jenkins revealed that Fuchs told him he wanted to step down because he felt he had little more to contribute to the club going forward.
"Christian gave us his view that he wanted to step down, and I couldn't change his mind," said Jenkins, who is now searching for his fourth manager in just over two years.
"He didn't elaborate much to me, he just felt that, at this point in time, he didn't have a lot to give us going forward.
"He felt last season in particular, those last few months, took a lot out of him."
Chairman Comments on Fuchs' Departure
Jenkins also mentioned that Fuchs, who resides in the north of England, had various other commitments in his life.
"He felt he wasn't ready for the challenge ahead this season and that was it. It was more or less that," Jenkins added.
"It's an awkward one, really. He's got his own views on why he wanted to step down, and you'll have to speak to him, really, to get any more detail on that."
Despite requests from Wales, Fuchs has not responded to inquiries regarding his resignation. Jenkins emphasized the need for the club to move forward as players have returned to training for the 2026-27 season.
"As far as I was concerned, Christian made his feelings quite clear to me that he wasn't in a position to carry on with us at Newport County, and I'm afraid when people do tell you those things you've just got to take it on the chin and move on," Jenkins said.
"Driving home from meeting him last Saturday, from having a meal with him, my only thoughts at that time were 'What do I do now?, 'What are we going to do next?'
"We didn't expect to be in this position. We didn't want to be in this position.
"We've got to find the next [manager], as always. Fingers crossed we can find the right one in the next few weeks and get our season moving in the right direction."
"Christian wanted to step down, and I couldn't change his mind," - Huw Jenkins on Fuchs' exit
Search for New Manager Underway
Fuchs' resignation marks the third consecutive summer in which Jenkins must appoint a new manager. His previous appointments include David Hughes, a former Manchester United academy coach in 2025, and Portuguese coach Nelson Jardim in 2024.
Jenkins expressed a desire to have a new manager appointed by the start of Newport County's League Two campaign on 15 August.
In the interim, former Newport defender Chris Todd, who joined the coaching staff in March, is overseeing pre-season training and has been placed in temporary charge following Fuchs' departure.
"Chris has got an opportunity to settle into the role and do what he can, but I knew full well what he could give us anyway," Jenkins said.
"Obviously what happens next depends on who else is in the market.
"After putting the statement out about Christian leaving us, I had 50 or 60 names [interested in the manager's job] very, very quickly.
"Most of them you can discount within two minutes, and then you look through what may be right for us and it takes a bit longer obviously to whittle that down."
Potential Candidates and Club Considerations
Among those linked with the managerial role are former Newport boss James Rowberry and former County midfielder Andrew Crofts, both currently part of Craig Bellamy's coaching staff with Wales.
Some supporters have expressed interest in former Wales manager Mark Hughes, who left his position as Carlisle boss in May, while former Bolton and West Ham striker Kevin Nolan has also been mentioned as a possible candidate.
"Two or three of those were news to me - they weren't on the initial list," Jenkins remarked.
"Lots of names get circulated and bandied about, but we can't forget where we were last year and where we are as a club at this point in time."
Jenkins, who previously served as Swansea City chairman, stressed the importance of selecting a manager who fits well with Newport's culture and ambitions.
"Do we get on the bandwagon of just taking on managers that move from club to club and get sacked week-in, week-out?" Jenkins questioned.
"I need to do better than that, to make sure we make good choices.
"I think it's important things are clarified before the season starts.
"But I'd love it to be before that, so everybody's fully set and behind the manager moving forward, whoever it is...I think the timescales are as simple as that."
