Mullins named manager at League Two Newport County

What the report says

BBC Sport Football reported that Newport County have appointed Hayden Mullins as their new permanent manager, with the former Fulham Under-21 boss leaving that role to take charge of the League Two club immediately. Mullins, a former midfielder for clubs including Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Portsmouth, steps into the job after Christian Fuchs’ unexpected departure in late June.

Newport had used Chris Todd as interim manager during pre-season, including friendlies against Bristol Manor Farm, Newport City, Gloucester City and Reading. BBC Sport said Todd is expected to stay at the club, while assistant manager Mark Smith has left. Mullins’ first game in the dugout is scheduled to be Saturday’s pre-season fixture against Yeovil.

The appointment continues a period of frequent change at Rodney Parade. BBC Sport noted that this is Newport’s third straight summer with a managerial switch, and Mullins is the fourth permanent head coach appointed since Huw Jenkins took over ownership in January 2024, following Nelson Jardim, Dave Hughes and Fuchs. Fuchs had helped the Exiles avoid relegation from League Two last season after arriving when they were four points from safety.

Mullins began coaching in Watford’s academy setup in 2016, later twice serving as temporary senior-team manager there. He was also assistant and then manager at Colchester United, had a short spell with the Turks and Caicos Islands national team, and joined Fulham’s under-21s in 2023. Newport’s upcoming schedule includes a friendly against Roma, a Carabao Cup tie at AFC Wimbledon on 8 August, and their League Two opener at home to Rochdale on 15 August.