FORMER LEICESTER CITY PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE WINNER CHRISTIAN FUCHS IS NEWPORT COUNTY’S NEW MANAGER
Newport County AFC are delighted to announce the appointment of former Austrian international skipper and 2016 Premier League title winner Christian Fuchs as their new manager writes Tony Rees.
Fuchs, 39, a cultured left-back in a 21-year senior playing career studded by stops at SV Mattersberg, VfL Bochum, Bundesliga clubs Mainz and Schalke plus, of course, Leicester City, encompassing 493 League appearances, has signed a long-term contract at Rodney Parade – taking over with immediate effect.
Neunkirchen-born Fuchs, who, leaves MLS outfit Charlotte FC where he was number two to former Brentford and Aston Villa manager Dean Smith for two years,, replaces Dave Hughes, the Welshman departing the Port after Newport’s 1-0 reverse at League Two relegation rivals Shrewsbury last Saturday – a 14th defeat of the season in all competitions.
Fuchs led his country between 2012-2016, representing Austria at the 2008 Euro Championship, hosted by Switzerland and the Austrians – also at the Euros in France eight years on, retiring after gaining 78 caps, this after progressing emphatically through the youth and U-21 levels.
Arguably, though, it was at Leicester’s King Power Stadium that 1.86m Fuchs etched his deepest mark. Alongside former England raider Jamie Vardy, Riyard Mahrez, Robert Huth, N’Golo Kante. Wes Morgan, Ben Chilwell and Danish stopper Kasper Schmeichel.
Guided by ex-Chelsea maestro di tattiche calcistiche Claudio Ranieri, the Foxes 5000/1 rank outsiders, lifted the Premiership title for the first and only occasion in their 141-year history – qualifying for the Champions League the following season.
County Chairman Huw Jenkins, who secured Fuchs after an intensive managerial search over the last five days, said, “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 is expected to draft in an assistant of his choice, and will speak with the Port squad for the first time prior to his first Newport match – at Oldham’s Boundary Park in crucial League Two fixture on Saturday.
