Newport County

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Iwan Roberts believes Christian Fuchs should remain at Newport County amid links to the Leicester City job.

The Austria international won the Premier League with the Foxes in 2015-16 and led the Exiles to survival in League Two in his first ever full-time role as a head coach.

It has led to murmurings that he could take charge at King Power Stadium following Leicester's relegation into League One.

But former Leicester and Wales striker Roberts hopes Fuchs remains at Rodney Parade to build on the foundations he has laid in his debut season at the club.

"First 16 games under Dave Hughes, they won 11 points. Since then, Christian Fuchs has been in charge for 30 games and he's won 32 points," Roberts told the BBC's Feast of Football podcast.

"With roughly a point per game, you stay in the league quite comfortably.

"He came in at a tough time to work at a club which was fighting for its life and its survival in the Football League.

"He's done what he needed to do and he's kept them in the league.

"There's obviously going to be links to Leicester because he had some really successful years there. He's highly-thought of at the club.

"Is he the man to get Leicester back in the Championship? I'm not too sure.

"I'd love to see him have another season at Newport and try and build on what he's achieved this season, because it has to be better."

Image source, Getty Images

Waterford FC have appointed former Newport County manager Graham Coughlan as their new head coach.

The 51-year-old was in charge at Rodney Parade between October 2022 and June 2024, guiding the Exiles to 15th and 18th-place finishes in League Two.

Coughlan's spell in south Wales produced a record of 33 wins, 22 draws and 38 defeats, with the highlight an FA Cup fourth-round tie at Manchester United.

Newport were beaten 4-2 at Rodney Parade after recovering from two goals down shortly after half-time.

Since leaving Newport, Coughlan has more recently managed Boston United in the National League, steering them to safety after taking over with the club in the relegation zone.

Boston collected 20 points from nine matches under his guidance, reinforcing Coughlan's reputation as a manager adept at rescuing struggling sides.

That experience will be tested at Waterford, who sit bottom of the League of Ireland Premier Division after 15 games, nine points adrift of ninth-placed Sligo Rovers.

The Dublin native was also present as Newport secured League Two safety in dramatic fashion on the final day at Barrow, where their former boss was working alongside Barrow boss Sam Foley before departing following the club's relegation.

Coughlan will link up with former Newport favourite Padraig Amond at the club, with chairman Jamie Pilley hopeful the appointment can spark a turnaround in the Blues' fortunes.

Boss Christian Fuchs says Newport County must ensure they do not face another relegation scrap next season.

The Exiles avoided the drop to the National League after winning their final two games of a torrid campaign.

Listen to Fuchs' thoughts as he looked ahead to 2026-27.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Michael Spellman has been voted fans' player of the season at Newport County, while captain Matt Baker won the players' player of the season award.

Forward Spellman, 23, scored five goals in 40 appearances for the Exiles in 2025-26, while former Wales Under-21 defender Baker (pictured above), also 23, scored once in 41 games as the Exiles preserved their League Two status on the final day of a difficult campaign.

Midfielder Sven Sprangler was named manager's player of the season despite only arriving on loan from St Johnstone in January.

On-loan Swansea City midfielder Ben Lloyd claimed the young player of the season award and defender Lee Jenkins, signed from Haverfordwest last summer, received the supporters' trust player of the season prize.

Joe Thomas' long-range strike against Harrogate was chosen as the goal of the season, while Nathaniel Opoku received the top goalscorer gong in a private awards night.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Former Newport County captain and club ambassador Mark O'Brien says he had "tears in my eyes" as the Exiles secured their League Two status on the final day of the season against Barrow.

O'Brien - whose goal against Notts County kept Newport in the Football League in 2017 - was on the sideline in Barrow, as County came from a goal down to win 2-1 at SO Legal Stadium.

Goals from Tom Davies and Bobby Kamwa turned the game on its head, after goalkeeper Jordan Wright had saved a penalty to prevent Barrow going two goals ahead.

Trailing 1-0 at half-time, Newport were staring relegation to the National League in the face, but for the second time in nine years they were saved by late drama.

"It was an emotional roller-coaster," O'Brien told BBC Radio Wales. "You hear the chatter around you of the other results coming in.

"It took me back to 2017, you sit there and think 'it can't end like this'.

"At some points I was looking at fans and they had tears in their eyes.

"When the players popped up with the goals they did, tears came to my eyes. It was a goosebump moment, the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

"When you're there experiencing it, it's like no other feeling. It's the reason why we love football, for moments like this."

Newport were four points adrift of safety back in November, as they made the decision to bring in Christian Fuchs as the new head coach.

The former Leicester City defender and Premier League winner has written his first chapter in Newport folklore, and O'Brien says he hopes this latest 'great escape' will be the start of a new direction for the club.

"When you face adversity and power through it, the next way is up," said O'Brien.

"The players have that huge feeling now of what this club means to the city. You'd hope that now it starts the next chapter for Newport.

"The fans have been nothing but amazing all season, this is the magic of Newport and what has kept me around for so long.

"You could make a movie of Newport time and time again."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Jordan Wright says the belief instilled in the Newport County squad by head coach Christian Fuchs' was pivotal in ensuring the Exiles preserved their League Two status.

Newport were four points adrift of safety when the former Austria international was named as Dave Hughes' successor at Rodney Parade in November.

But the Exiles clinched survival on the final day of the 2025-26 season as they came from behind to win 2-1 at Barrow.

Discussing the impact of 2015-16 Premier League winner Fuchs, Wright told BBC Radio Wales Sport: "He's just brought that belief, he's done it at the highest level, he's won the highest thing you can win in English football.

"He's just brought that to the team. He just said, 'Lads, we're a good group, we've got good players and just believe in yourselves'.

"We've believed in ourselves and look what's happened. It's unbelievable."

Wright added: "I think we've shown in games in the past two or three months that we've been unbelievable.

"If we find that rhythm and put it in the back of the net more often, we'll win so many more games. The group of lads and staff that we've got, it's an unreal group.

"You can tell just how much it means to everyone."

Charlie McCann gave Barrow an early lead at SO Legal Stadium, and the hosts had the chance to go 2-0 up when they were awarded a penalty early on in the second half.

But Josh Gordon was well denied by Wright from 12 yards out before Tom Davies and Bobby Kamwa struck late on to earn the visitors a precious victory.

On his crucial penalty save, Wright said: "Any 'keeper would say they're just doing their job. You prepare for it, and if it happens, it happens.

"I go through it, I do the home work and luckily it's paid off today.

"I've watched his pens and I knew what he would do with his run up.

"I thought if I just lean, my legs are long enough to try and save it."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Iwan Roberts says Newport County have the kindest fixture of all the sides in the League Two relegation scrap as they prepare for Saturday's season-defining trip to Barrow (15:00 BST).

The Exiles are one of five teams fighting to stay up heading into the last weekend of a difficult campaign.

They take on bottom-club Barrow, who are three points adrift of Harrogate - who are 23rd - and Crawley - in 22nd - and realistically look all but down because of their inferior goal difference.

Newport, in 21st, and 20th-placed Tranmere are a point better off than Harrogate and Crawley.

And former Wales striker Roberts says Christian Fuchs' men have an "easier game" than their relegation rivals.

"Crawley have got to go Salford, who are fourth and one point off automatic promotion," Roberts told this week's Feast of Football podcast.

"Barnet go to Harrogate. Barnet are ninth. They are three points off the play-offs and have a better goal difference than Chesterfield [in seventh]. Barnet have won 19 points from their last seven games.

"Tranmere are not out of it. They host Grimsby - you have got the worst defence [in the division] in Tranmere against the second top scorers in Grimsby. Grimsby are sixth and not guaranteed a play-off place, so they have everything to play for.

"Barrow are on 36 points and 12 goals worse off than Crawley in goal difference. They are not getting out of it. So Newport have got the easier game, but the pressure is still on them."

Victory at Barrow would guarantee Newport's survival, though they might not need to win - or even draw - if other results go their way.

The Welsh club claimed a second victory in their past three games as they overcame Oldham Athletic in dramatic fashion last weekend, but they have not managed back-to-back league wins in 2025-26.

"What a good time to do it [this would be]," Roberts added.

Former Newport County boss Mike Flynn - who led the club to a dramatic final day escape nine years ago - recalls the 2017 win over Notts County.

And with the Exiles one of five clubs who could still face relegation on the last day of the current League Two season, he told Radio Wales Breakfast what it would mean for Newport to lose League Football.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Christian Fuchs says Newport County must focus on themselves as they look to avoid relegation from League Two on the final day of the season.

The Exiles, who have been in the Football league since 2013, head to bottom side Barrow on Saturday, 2 May (15:00 BST) as one of five sides who could finish in the bottom two.

Following a 3-0 loss away at Cambridge last weekend, the hosts will be hoping for a miracle, they need to win and overturn an eight goal difference if they are to keep their League Two status.

Despite Barrow's precarious position, Fuchs says his side must not focus on their opposition.

"I think they will try to push hard initially, but it's all assumptions, we don't actually know what state of mind they are in right now," said Fuchs.

"It's definitely a tough situation for them, but we have to look at ourselves.

"Our destiny is in our own hands, so we need to make sure that we are on the right end of everything that is going to happen on Saturday.

"It's down to us and how we approach the game to make sure if there is a weird atmosphere, we make it even more weird."

Fuchs' side eased some of their own pressure with a dramatic 3-2 victory against 10 man Oldham in their penultimate game.

Bobby Kamwa missed an injury-time penalty, before scoring the decisive goal three minutes later in the 108th minute to delight the County faithful.

Despite the significance of the three points, Fuchs has called for calm from his players heading into Saturday.

"If you just take a step back, take a breath and just focus on the game plan and what you need to do. If you focus on that and just be calm and composed, things will be fine," added the former Austria international.

"Every single game is a pressure situation but it's also a privilege to be in that situation and this group has dealt with it really well this season."

The away side will be backed by a sold-out away end of 930 Exiles fans making the 270-mile trip to Cumbria.

Fuchs is full of praise for their backing.

"The support was incredible at Cheltenham as well and it just shows how dedicated our fans are, because that's a very long trip to Barrow," he said.

"It feels really good and I think the fans taking this trip, they deserve to walk away with three points."

After a torrid season, we asked you whether Newport County can avoid relegation to the National League in Saturday's 2025-26 finale against fellow strugglers Barrow. Tranmere, Crawley and Harrogate are also in the relegation mix.

Here are some of your views.

Ade: There have been games where we definitely deserved more. Last week was a great result where we battled for our lives. I think we have enough to stay up if we turn up Saturday and finish the job.

Carl: If we do manage to pull it off, fantastic. But this season must go down as a season of very big mistakes made and [we must] learn from them. We cannot afford to be in a similar situation next season. Much better recruitment needed and a tried and tested manager who has worked in the league, someone that has the knowledge and experience to do battle with this division and understands the value of what is needed.

David: If they play like they did against Oldham on Saturday then they will be safe, if they don't turn up it then depends on how the other teams do.

Stephen: We definitely have enough to survive. I think we'll beat Barrow, but Crawley will lose to Salford anyway imo. But we can't take that risk so go for the win.

Steve: I have a terrible feeling that Barrow will go, along with Crawley or Newport, probably Newport. We cannot get away from the fact that Newport cannot defend and cannot score many goals. I'm sorry!

Terry: Final-day deciders are not for the faint-hearted and doubtless Saturday will be another nerve-jangler. The only certainty is Barrow cannot catch Newport, but they can certainly be responsible for dragging them into the drop zone. I take the Exiles to survive, but fear for them should they not. Up the COUNTY!!

Russell: It's been an awful season, on and off the pitch. Our decline has been over a number of years, it's really not surprising we are in the position we are in today. However, we do have hope, which is a far cry from where we were before Christmas. Some astute signings have brought the best out of what can be only described as a less than mediocre squad. But we are where we are, it's in our hands, which is important, but can we do it? My best guess is that we will have to leave it in others' hands, especially when you see whose running the Barrow team, [Sam] Foley and [Graham] Coughlan, [our] ex-player & manager. Depending on the circumstances they left the club, they will be keen to put one over on us! If we do survive, then there has to be a determination of the trust and the other 21% of the shareholding for us to move forward. That will hopefully provide the investment we need to survive. As a supporter for over 50 years I can't go through this type of season again! We can do it. We will not be in existence for long if we get relegated, there will be no coming back this time, after all it took 25 years the last time!

Image source, BBC Sport

Will a torrid season have a sorry ending, or can Newport County round off 2025-26 by securing their EFL status for another year?

The Exiles' League Two survival bid has all come down to this weekend's final-day trip to fellow strugglers Barrow.

As it stands, Christian Fuchs' team are two places and one point above the relegation zone following last weekend's thrilling home win over Oldham, meaning it is all to play for heading into what promises to be a nerve-jangling final round of fixtures.

So will Newport survive? Have you seen enough from Fuchs' team to believe they can stay up? Or are you fearing the worst?

We want to know what you think - let us know your thoughts by clicking here.

Image source, FAW

Former Newport County winger Robbie Willmott has been appointed manager of Cymru South club Newport City.

Willmott. who had two spells at County, also played in two separate stints for Cambridge United as well as playing for Luton Town.

The 35-year-old joined Cymru Premier side Barry Town United in August 2024.

The ex-England C international announced his retirement from playing following Barry's defeat to Haverfordwest in the European play-offs.

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

"It means the world."

Christian Fuchs barely needed to elaborate on what Newport County's dramatic late win over Oldham Athletic meant to everyone connected with the club.

"After the game, when you walk on the pitch and seeing what's possible here – the fans, the spirit, everybody together, everybody loud - it was an incredible moment for us," said the Exiles boss.

Bobby Kamwa's 108th minute winner sparked scenes of ecstasy at Rodney Parade.

The Exiles moved a step closer to League Two safety with just their sixth home win of the season, prompting jubilant celebrations at the final whistle.

Yet inside the camp, there is a clear understanding that the job is far from finished.

Newport head into the final day sitting just one point above the relegation zone, knowing everything is still on the line.

This was clear in match-winner Kamwa's mind.

"It was a great result but we're not going to get carried away," said the 26-year-old goal-scoring hero.

"The job's not fully done yet. We go again and we're ready to go to Barrow and give it our all and hopefully put it to bed there."

Fuchs shares that same outlook.

Having arrived at Rodney Parade in November with Newport rooted to the foot of the table, the former Premier League winner with Leicester has managed to galvanise Newport to ensure survival remains in their own hands

They travel to bottom-club Barrow on Saturday, 2 May (15:00 BST) knowing any two of five sides can still be relegated.

"We know it's going to be a tough game," said Fuchs of the final day trip to Cumbria.

"Barrow still have something to play for, they can still make it, so we are aware of that but we need to get points on the board still ourselves.

"So, we go there to perform really well, that's the bottom line. Even though you're on a big high I know at the same time we still need to prepare for the next game."