(Credit: Getty Images / Aston Villa on YouTube)

Exclusive: Man United coach David Hughes in advanced talks to become Newport boss

Transfer Correspondent AUTHORITY Former Sky Sports and ESPN FC correspondent who specialises in global recruitment, contract negotiations, and high-velocity transfer breaking news. FOCUS Exclusive reporting, domestic and international transfer markets, and elite-level insights. THE INSIGHT Pete utilises a Global Network of Industry Sources to deliver verified, first-to-market reporting. His “Deep-Lens” analysis connects the dots between boardroom strategy and pitch-level recruitment, providing a level of transfer clarity that goes beyond surface-level rumours.

Published on:

21 May 2025, 12:57 pm

Manchester United academy coach David Hughes is in advanced talks to become the new manager of Newport County, sources have told Football Insider.

Newport are searching for a new boss after Nelson Jardim stepped down from his role as head coach in April.

Hughes, 47, is highly-regarded in coaching circles, having previously worked at Aston Villa, Southampton and Cardiff before moving to Old Trafford in the summer of 2022.

Jamie Miley was one of 17 players to join Newport in the summer. (Credit: Imago)

Newport looking for Nelson Jardim replacement

Having secured the Exile's status in the League Two with just two games remaining, Jardim departed after less than a full season in charge.

Newport signed 17 players in last summer's transfer window, looking to arrest their slide towards non-league football that has been in effect since finishing fifth in the 2020/21 season.

This had included signing Jamie Miley on loan from Newcastle and defender Ciaran Brennan from Sheffield Wednesday.

Chairman Huw Edwards replaced Graham Coughlan with Jardim in the summer in the hopes that the Portuguese manager would be able to guide the Welsh club back towards the top of the table, but that has failed to happen.

As a consequence, Newport are now searching for their third permanent manager in four seasons.

Jim Ratcliffe has overseen plenty of change at Man United. (Credit: Getty Images)

David Hughes set to become latest staff departure from Man United

Should Hughes take over at Rodney Parade, he would become the latest staff member to depart Old Trafford since Jim Ratcliffe became a minority owner.

Man United announced 250 redundancies in the summer, before another 100 staff were let go by INEOS in February of this year.

However, the club have not only made staff members redundant, as others have chosen to leave.

United's head of sports medicine and senior men's first-team doctor, Gary O’Driscoll and Jim Moxon respectively, left in March [MailOnline], and Hughes could could now follow them out in what has been a tumultuous season.

The academy coach would be leaving behind a strong set-up, with United having qualified for the FA Youth Cup semi-finals this season and several players, including Harry Amass making the step-up to the senior side.

Manchester United

Newport County

Pete O'Rourke