Nelson Jardim perfect fit for Newport County's new approach

The Portuguese coach is at the helm after being chosen as the replacement for Graham Coughlan, who left in June.

The manager headed for the exit and now a head coach is calling the shots, with former Swansea chairman Jenkins having led the summer recruitment drive that has so far brought in 10 players.

There have been off-field changes, perhaps most notably the academy moving from Lliswerry High School to USW Sports Park in Treforest and Jardim, who was initially brought in as lead coach, is charged with establishing a new possession-based, pass-heavy style.

It is a contrasting situation to this time last year when Coughlan was calling all the shots and having to problem solve at a club with financial fears.

BOSS: Nelson Jardim is County's head coach (Image: Darren Griffiths/Huw Evans Agency)

“It came to the point in the summer where we thought it was right to change and go down a different route,” said Jenkins, who worked with Jardim in Swansea.

“The main thing when going down a different route of changing a style, philosophy or whatever word you want to use is that you have got to get the right people in to work along with the club to do that.

“We were inundated with people wanting a job when they saw that Graham had left and you go through that process.

“It’s only right that you take a bit of time to do that but you come back to the main points and they were that we were looking for somebody to work with us as a football club to change the outlook, atmosphere and football.

“Even though there were many conversations with many different people, my thoughts were always coming back to Nelson because it was about making sure you have somebody who is aligned to move forward in a way that is comfortable for both parties.

“We are changing and doing something different, which is a big thing anyway. We are changing a squad with a group of players who are young and coming in from different coaching backgrounds.

“It’s imperative you have someone who can see it the same way. That’s critical.”

CHANGE: County owner Huw Jenkins (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Jardim will, however, be judged on results in the demanding League Two.

He will be picked from a squad that was built before he got the job; Jenkins has led the summer transfer dealings when using his own scouting network.

County have almost gone with a director of football approach without anybody having that title.

“We have a slightly different model to the one that was here previously,” said the owner, who said Jardim was aware of the more recent of the 10 signings.

“There are some clubs that adopt this policy and some that don’t. That’s how football is, there is no right or wrong way.

“We’ve got a recruitment team that I know well, and it so happens that Nelson knows them well.

“He is fully aligned with that going forward. It’s not manager-led, it’s club-led.

“That doesn’t mean that decisions are made without consultation or discussion because bringing in players that don’t suit a style of play or the group you have can cause divisions, and none of us want that.

“I will keep using the word ‘aligned’, because we are all on the same path and want the same things.”