Newport County are set to open their 14th consecutive League Two campaign under new head coach Hayden Mullins, who replaced Christian Fuchs following his surprise resignation. The Exiles host newly promoted Rochdale at Rodney Parade on Saturday, 15 August 2026, kicking off at 12:30 BST.
Fuchs, a former Premier League winner, had guided Newport to survival on the final day of last season with a dramatic 2-1 win at Barrow, only to resign just two days before pre-season training began. As reported at the time, his departure after seven months left the club searching for their fourth manager in just over two years. Mullins, previously in charge of Fulham's Under-21 side, was appointed as his successor with immediate effect, ending Chris Todd's brief spell as interim boss.
What promise has the new squad shown so far?
Early signs have offered some encouragement for Newport supporters despite a mixed pre-season. In Mullins' first competitive match in charge, the Exiles pushed League One side AFC Wimbledon to a penalty shootout in the Carabao Cup first round, eventually losing 5-4 after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser.
"The initial feeling felt like a defeat, conceding so late into the game, it was a draw over the 98-99 minutes. But when we sit down and have a look at the game and review it, there were so many positives," Mullins said.
"We know that, obviously, our league will be a tough league, and a tough campaign. There's a lot of things I saw Saturday which we need to take out and take into our league campaign."
"There's a few bits that we need to leave behind. We're not the finished article, but like I say, we pushed a good League One side the whole way on Saturday. They had to be at their limit to beat us."
New signing Yahya Bamba, who joined from non-league Forest Green Rovers, opened the scoring against Wimbledon with a long-range strike that drew attention from supporters. Bournemouth loanee Alfie Merritt also impressed during a heavy 4-1 pre-season defeat to Roma at Rodney Parade, a result that prompted Mullins to insist his side would remain front-footed and competitive, as detailed in a separate report on that match.
Mullins has urged patience with Merritt as the young loanee adapts to his new surroundings.
"There's loads of bits that I can see in Alfie's game which could potentially help us this season. We know he's a young player. There's going to be times we're going to have to be patient with him."
"We're here to try and help him and try and help his game. We know we're in the results business and Alfie knows that he's got to be ready for Saturday if his chance comes."
Further squad additions have not been ruled out before the transfer window closes, with Mullins acknowledging the competitive nature of late-summer recruitment.
"There are bits that we are trying to do. Whether they entirely all come off, no-one knows," Mullins added.
"There are a lot of clubs trying to do business now. We're no different. Some targets you go for, two or three clubs are in for the same player."
"We just have to be quite cute and quite shrewd in what we're doing and try and get the targets that we're after, I'm sure there will be incomings."
An earlier assessment of the squad's needs, published before the Roma friendly, had already flagged concerns over defensive solidity, midfield creativity and attacking depth following a heavy 4-0 pre-season loss to Reading.
Can Newport fix their home form?
Newport's immediate challenge is a daunting one: Rochdale arrive at Rodney Parade having finished second in last season's National League with 106 points before winning promotion via the play-off final against Boreham Wood.
Home form was a significant weakness for Newport last season, when they managed only five league wins at Rodney Parade all campaign — the fourth-worst home record in League Two. Mullins has made turning that around a central aim for the new season.
"We spoke as a group about what we want to try and do this season, how we're going to affect opposition and teams that come to Rodney Parade. It can't be an easy game," he said.
"It's got to be a tough game. That's what we're going to be setting up to do."
"We know most weekends, it'll be tough. We won't always get the result we want. There might be things that go against us, but I think as long as the fans can see what we're trying to do, I'm sure they'll be with us."
Last season's opening game ended in a draw against Notts County, and Mullins is hoping to improve on that result when Rochdale visit for his first competitive home fixture in charge.
"I can't wait to get going," enthused Mullins.
"My hunger is to try to deliver for the fans and get results at home. I know it would be a big plus point."
"We need them on our side. We need the fans to turn up and help the lads try to get all three points. We need to hear them."
"I'm sure we'll give them things on the pitch to feed off. We know we need to bring energy and excitement, and the fans will come with us."
How far can Newport go this season?
Newport finished 20th in League Two last season with 43 points, a campaign overshadowed by instability in the dugout.
Chairman Huw Jenkins will be keen to avoid repeating last season's unsuccessful appointment of Dave Hughes, the former Manchester United professional development phase coach who was sacked after just 16 games with the club bottom of the table. Jenkins has instead placed his trust in Mullins, who believes the move suits both his career stage and the club's long-term plans.
"I spoke to Huw and the direction in which he wants to go in the future and all the infrastructure that we're speaking about. It was definitely the right fit at the right time," said Mullins.
"I'd been at Fulham for three years and I think I'd given them as much as I could have given them at the time and I was ready to go back into first team."
Asked how far his side could realistically progress this season, Mullins struck a measured but ambitious tone.
"We are trying to take it as far as we can. I think there's a lot of stuff that's going on in the background which is really good," said Mullins.
"It's something that I definitely want to be part of. I think the vision is obviously trying to make Newport strong as we can."
"We're going to push, push and push as much as we can to be as effective as we can every weekend. Where that takes us, if we're positive enough, should be in the right half of the table."
What is Mullins' playing background?
Mullins made 128 senior appearances for Portsmouth and scored three goals, according to the original club figures, though a differing record cited by Wikipedia lists 114 league appearances and three goals for the club, with a total of 129 appearances once cup competitions are included. The same source notes that Mullins also played for Reading, Birmingham City and West Ham United during a lengthy playing career before moving into coaching, eventually taking charge of Fulham's Under-21 side prior to his appointment at Newport.
What happens next?
Newport's League Two campaign begins in earnest on Saturday, 15 August 2026, when they host Rochdale at Rodney Parade at 12:30 BST, according to a national broadcaster's report. The fixture will be the first true test of whether Mullins' early promise in pre-season can translate into results once competitive points are on the line.
- Hayden Mullins replaced Christian Fuchs as Newport County head coach after Fuchs' resignation in late June 2026.
- Newport lost 5-4 on penalties to AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup first round after a last-gasp equaliser.
- New signing Yahya Bamba, from Forest Green Rovers, scored a long-range goal against Wimbledon.
- Newport had the fourth-worst home record in League Two last season, winning just five home league games.
- The League Two season opens for Newport at home to Rochdale on 15 August 2026 at 12:30 BST.
