Next Newport Manager Odds: Christian Fuchs Backed For Exiles Role

Newport County have endured a troubling 2025-26 campaign to date, rooted firmly at the bottom of League Two with just 11 points from their first 16 games.

The pressure boiled over following a 1-0 home defeat to fellow strugglers Shrewsbury Town on November 15, leading to the dismissal of David Hughes after just six months in charge. 

Newport's performances have been marked by sloppy errors, defensive howlers and far too few wins for a side that has long flirted with the foot of the table.

The club are now on the lookout for someone to help them avoid dropping out of league football, and some old faces are in the running, according to betting sites.

Here, Gambling.com looks at the main candidates to take over at Rodney Parade and the best odds available.

Fuchs A New Name In The Frame

Former Premier League winner Christian Fuchs is a new entry in the betting market and is now the 7/4 favourite with most betting apps. 

Having moved into coaching after hanging up his boots, Fuchs is currently an assistant coach at Charlotte FC in MLS, following a 19-season playing career that included a vital role in Leicester City’s shock Premier League triumph in 2015/16.

Newport’s hierarchy would be appointing someone with elite-level experience and leadership credentials, who could turn things around at Rodney Parade.

Fuchs would be stepping into his first solo managerial role in the EFL, so there are risks attached if the club make a move for the Austrian.

Next Newport County Manager Odds:

Sampson Second Favourite

Mark Sampson is the second favourite on football betting sites at 2/1, but would be a controversial appointment at Rodney Parade.

The Welshman is best known for his spell in charge of England Women between 2013 and 2017, which included a run to the World Cup semi-finals before he was sacked by the FA.

Since then, he has worked in the men’s game as a first-team coach and caretaker boss at Stevenage, but has not held a head managerial role for several seasons. 

Newport would effectively be handing him his first permanent job as a men’s senior manager. 

With the Exiles at the bottom of League Two, fans may prefer a more battle-hardened boss with more experience in lower-league football.

Homecoming For Flynn?

Local favourite Michael Flynn is next in the market at 7/2, and he would likely be a popular choice. 

The Newport-born former midfielder twice pulled off 'Great Escapes' as Exiles boss between 2017 and 2021, keeping them in the EFL. 

He also guided the club to a League Two play-off final and achieved some memorable FA Cup shocks against larger clubs.

Since leaving Rodney Parade, he has had mixed fortunes with Walsall, Swindon and most recently Cheltenham Town, where he was sacked in September after a poor start left them struggling near the bottom of League Two.

Even so, Flynn’s deep roots in the city and proven track record make him a very live contender if Newport’s board want someone who knows the club and the division inside out.

Veteran Bruce Backed 

Steve Bruce (4/1) sits on the fringes of the next Newport County betting market as an experienced, big-name option who is usually in the conversation whenever an EFL job becomes available.

Now 64 and out of management since leaving Blackpool in October, Bruce has amassed more than 1,000 matches in the dugout, winning four promotions to the Premier League and building a reputation as a steady, experienced organiser of struggling squads.

His last few spells – particularly at Blackpool and West Brom – ended under heavy scrutiny, but his track record of stabilising clubs in trouble is undeniable. 

If Newport want a calm, battle-hardened manager with deep Championship and Premier League experience rather than a rising coach or a local connection, Bruce could be an ideal short-term option.

Is Monk The Missing Piece?

At 10/1, Garry Monk looks like a strong candidate for the Newport County job.

The former Swansea, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Birmingham and Sheffield Wednesday boss returned to the dugout with Cambridge United in 2024 but left the club in February 2025 after just five wins in 31 matches, with the U’s bottom of League One and eight points from safety.

That bruising spell followed a career that has included a Premier League Manager of the Month award at Swansea and near-miss promotion pushes with Leeds and Boro, so any club appointing him will be hoping that his time at Cambridge was merely a blip.

Dropping into League Two would be a significant reset for Monk, but his experience at bigger clubs could tempt the Newport board.

Evans Has The Know-How

Veteran taskmaster Steve Evans is priced up at 10/1 and would bring a very different profile.

The 62-year-old is currently out of work after being sacked by Rotherham in March, with the Millers struggling towards the bottom of League One.

That second spell at the New York Stadium ended sourly, but Evans’ CV is packed with promotions.

He’s widely regarded as one of the EFL’s great survival specialists, and if Newport simply want someone to bang heads together, tighten up defensively and scrap their way to safety, Evans could be the ideal candidate.

Hudson And Carr In The Mix

Further down the market at 25/1 sit Mark Hudson and Rhys Carr, two very different candidates.

Hudson’s only permanent managerial job to date came at Cardiff City, where the former Bluebirds captain was promoted from within but sacked in January 2023.

He has yet to return to first-team management, though his coaching reputation remains solid.

Carr, by contrast, is seen as a modern, tactically minded coach on the rise.

Currently an assistant at Bristol Rovers, he has held coaching roles at Swansea, Cardiff, Bristol City, Wolves and Coventry.

Linked with the Newport job in the past, he would be a brave pick for his first permanent manager’s role rather than the safer candidates in the running.

Other Contenders For Exiles Post

Rounding out the market are some intriguing outsiders.

Des Buckingham (20/1), the 40-year-old English coach now at Saudi club Al-Kholood, had previously led Mumbai City to the ISL title and Oxford United to promotion, yet was surprisingly dismissed after just a few weeks into the Championship campaign.

Lee Kendall (25/1), another Newport native and current head of goalkeeping, has a wealth of experience from roles with Cardiff, Bristol City and Sheffield United.

Rob Page (25/1) was sacked as Wales boss after failing to reach Euro 2024, but is now rebuilding his career as Liverpool’s U21 manager. He offers top-level experience and strong ties to Wales.

Elsewhere, Cameron Toshack – son of legendary manager John - is also a 25/1 left-field choice.

* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.

Newport fans, who would you like to be the next manager at Rodney Parade? Let us know in the comments below!