Former Premier League midfielder Hayden Mullins takes charge at Newport County

Hayden Mullins has vowed to make Rodney Parade an intimidating place to visit after being appointed Newport County’s new manager.

Mullins, who turned out for Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Portsmouth as a defensive midfielder during his playing career, succeeds Christian Fuchs at the League Two club.

He leaves his role as Fulham Under-21 boss, where he guided the Cottagers to the Premier League Cup title in 2024.

The 47-year-old, who also managed Colchester United and twice took caretaker charge at Watford, believes his varied coaching career has prepared him for the challenge of leading County into the new season.

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Proud

“It’s a fantastic day for me,” he told the club. “I’m really proud, my family are proud, and I’m privileged to walk into this football club and lead it.

“I’m going to give everything I’ve got. Every day, I’m going to make sure these players are ready for the new campaign.”

He added: “I’ve had a really good opportunity working with top coaches and playing in different leagues.

“You always take bits from all of them. The other side is the playing side of it. You realise how tough it is out there on that pitch.

“There is no hiding place, and every inch you give matters.”

Aggressive

The arrival of Mullins means Newport have appointed a new manager for the third successive summer.

The Exiles were four points adrift of League Two safety when Fuchs succeeded Dave Hughes last November.

The former Leicester City full-back and Premier League title winner steered the club to survival before leaving in a shock departure at the end of last month.

Mullins, who also managed the Turks and Caicos Islands national side, insists he wants Newport to play on the front foot rather than dominate possession for possession’s sake.

“I want to build a fast attacking football team,” he explained.

“I want us to be aggressive out of possession. I’m not going to come here and be a tippy-tappy manager.

“I want us to be aggressive with the ball, be front-footed and play in areas of the pitch where the opposition leave space.

“I want us to have a real threat in front of goal and put pressure on the opposition when they come here.

“When teams come to Rodney Parade, it shouldn’t feel like a nice place to come and play football.”

12th man

Mullins also stressed the importance of the Amber Army, believing Newport’s faithful can play a key role in helping his side through the highs and lows of the season.

“I’ve been here and worked here for opposition sides, so I’ve seen the fan base and the passion from the stands,” he said.

“When this place is bouncing, and it’s going well on the pitch, it’s a fantastic place to play.

“They will be our 12th man out there. The players will need them at times, home and away, to get them through certain tough times.”

Mullins will take charge of Newport for the first time in Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Yeovil Town before turning his attention to the start of the competitive campaign.

The Exiles host AFC Wimbledon in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Saturday, August 8 before beginning their League Two season at home to newly-promoted Rochdale a week later.

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