FORMER Newport County AFC manager Graham Coughlan is back in football after being appointed as boss of Boston United.

The Irishman will be charged with trying to help the Pilgrims retain their National League status with the club sitting one from bottom of the table, seven points from safety.

Boston came up from National League North via the play-offs last season but sacked Ian Culverhouse at the end of October.

Coughlan referred to himself as a ‘firefighter’ in Newport and have a similar task at his new club, who have won just twice this season.

Boston will hope that he can repeat his County exploits, when he got them back to basics and built a tight squad on a meagre budget despite off-field challenges.

The former central defender was brought in by the Exiles in October, 2022 to prevent them being dragged into a League Two relegation scrap, which he successfully did.

JOB: Graham Coughlan has joined Boston as bossJOB: Graham Coughlan has joined Boston as boss (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Coughlan and trusted assistant Joe Dunne built on that last season when County punched above their weight and were pushing for the play-offs until the wheels came off in the run in.

The duo also spearheaded a lucrative FA Cup run that ended with giving eventual winners Manchester United a scare at a packed Rodney Parade.

The former Bristol Rovers and Mansfield boss headed for the exit in the summer when owner Huw Jenkins, who took over in January, opted to go in a new direction.

The manager went and Nelson Jardim was appointed as head coach to work with a squad built by the chairman.

Coughlan will now be calling the shots in Boston and will be in charge of his first game on Saturday when they welcome Braintree Town, who are just above the drop zone, to Lincolnshire.