Newport County eyeing move for ex-Swansea City coach to replace Coughlan | OneFootball

Newport County are plotting a move for Cameron Toshack

Newport County are considering the appointment of former Swansea City Under-23 coach Cameron Toshack, following the departure of Graham Coughlan via mutual consent on Thursday morning, according to Dai Sport.

The report revealed that while Coughlan had the title of manager, but club chairman Huw Jenkins is now looking to appoint a head coach, and will look to take charge of key decision-making such as recruitment.

Dai Sport also claims that although Coughlan officially left the Exiles via mutual consent, it was ultimately the recently appointed chairman's decision to relieve him of his duties.

Coughlan exit shows change of direction at Newport

The 49-year-old first took charge of the Exiles in October 2022, and guided the Rodney Parade side to a 15th place finish at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

The former Mansfield boss will have hoped for a better league outcome during his first full season in charge of the Welsh outfit, but last term his side finished just 18th in the fourth tier, 13 points above the drop zone.

However, Coughlan was still able to provide Exiles fans with happy memories during his time in charge of the club, and steered his team to victory over Welsh rivals Wrexham back in January.

Furthermore, the Rodney Parade outfit experienced a memorable FA Cup run under Coughlan's stewardship, as they reached the fourth round.

And just eight days after their league win over Wrexham, the Exiles welcomed eventual champions Manchester United to South Wales for an FA Cup fourth round clash in which the home side showed admirable fighting spirit.

County looked down and out when the Red Devils found themselves 2-0 up in the 13th minute courtesy of goals from Portugese star Bruno Fernandes and teenage sensation Kobbie Mainoo.

But a deflected effort from Bryn Morris clawed the Exiles back into the game, and they went into the half-time interval 2-1 down.

Just two minutes after the break, talisman Will Evans drew his side level in unlikely circumstances, but Erik Ten Hag's men eventually took the spoils with a 4-2 victory.

But despite Coughlan's positive moments, his underwhelming achievements in the league have led to his sacking, and Jenkins is now looking to take more control of the club's destiny.

Toshack appointment could go either way

The 54-year-old has held some prestigious roles in his career, but predominantly as an assistant manager or as an under-23 coach, as seen at Swansea.

Most recently, the Welshman was Jesse Marsch's assistant at Leeds United during the club's time in the Premier League, but the duo were sacked towards the end of the 2022/23 season as the Whites were relegated.

Toshack also has experience in international football, as he was Macedonia's assistant manager from 2011-2012, during the nation's Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

He was Swansea's Under-23 boss from 2014-19, and guided his young Swans side to the Premier League Cup final in 2018, in which they drew 0-0 with Aston Villa's Under-23s before losing a penalty shootout.

Following his time in South Wales, Toshack then took his first step into first team management with Cypriot side Pafos FC in 2019, and helped the side avoid relegation before leaving in October 2020.

However, his experience as a senior manager is limited, so he could be a risky appointment for the Exiles to make despite his accolades as a youth coach and as an assistant.