In a surprising turn of events, former Premier League champion Christian Fuchs has been named as the new manager of League Two club Newport County. The ex-Leicester City player has signed a long-term contract at Rodney Parade. Newport chairman Huw Jenkins explained the decision, stating: “We see Christian as the sort of man to lead our club forward. I believe he matches our ambition and goals for Newport County FC.
“I do feel we can now look forward with a great deal of optimism. We’ll look to improve our current situation in League Two and take things from there. Christian is ambitious and wants, one day, to manage in the Premier League, we believe he shares our strong belief in what Newport County can eventually become.”
Fuchs faces a daunting task at Newport. The Welsh team currently sit bottom of the Football League, having only secured three victories in their first 16 matches.
David Hughes, who was appointed as the club’s manager in the summer, was dismissed last week following their most recent loss. Fuchs will make his managerial debut with Newport this weekend against Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park.
Fuchs, 39, enjoyed a successful career in Germany before transferring to Leicester City in 2015. He played a key role in Leicester’s unexpected Premier League victory during his first season.
The former Austrian international also contributed to Leicester’s FA Cup win during the 2020/21 season under Brendan Rodgers before moving to MLS team Charlotte FC.
Fuchs hung up his boots after a single season with the club, transitioning into coaching and joining the backroom staff of ex-Aston Villa and Leicester manager Dean Smith in the USA.