Our man Friday

10:32am Tuesday 13th May 2008

Comments (4)   Have your say »

NEWPORT County expect to name their new manager on Friday.

The Argus can reveal that the Exiles board have whittled down thirty candidates to around ten, some of whom have already been interviewed and the remainder will be seen in the next 72 hours.

Chairman Chris Blight has expressed a desire to appoint a manager with top coaching credentials, also underlining a determination for a more youthful playing squad next term.

However, Andy Tilson, coach of Team Bath, will not be the new manager.

He has decided to stay with his current employers, though he did speak with the Exiles directors.

Striker John Hartson is also out of the running to succeed boss Peter Beadle despite working towards his coaching qualifications, though at least two former Premiership players are known to be in the frame.

One of those is former Exiles striker Dean Holdsworth, while ex-Woking manager Glenn Cockerill is also understood to have applied.

Former County player Phil Bater is another candidate thought to be on the list, though Gloucester City boss Tim Harris will not be returning to the club, despite rumours that he was to be offered a director of football role.

Blight explained: "Tim Harris is a firm believer in not going back, we do speak with Tim and down the line he could well become involved with the club if he was so willing.

"But for now Tim is not coming back and we are continuing to search for the right candidate."

Blight has hinted he is searching primarily for a manager with the ability to coach, suggesting that some younger players at the club could go full-time in the near future.

"Administration, coaching and fitness are three areas which are key, we feel coaching will be especially essential with this appointment.

"We are looking at a spectrum of candidates, up and coming managers, senior players looking to make a first step into management and experienced lower league campaigners.

"We would be willing to have some of the younger members of our squad training full-time and we want someone who can nurture young talent as next season's squad will have a younger average age.

"We don't have a front-runner at the moment, but we feel we are on course to make an announcement at the end of the week."

Holdsworth, who led Redbridge to third in the Ryman League in his first season in charge, is understood to be keen on a return to Spytty Park and has spoken with Blight, though hasn't yet had a formal interview.

Former Exiles defender John Brough is not keen on the job and hasn't been contacted, while Beadle's assistant Scott Young is still unclear as to whether he will have a role with County next season.

* County's pre-season fixtures Thursday 10th July: Cinderford Town v County; Saturday 12th July: Didcot v Newport County; Tuesday 15th July: Almondsbury v Newport County; Saturday 19th July: Leamington v Newport County; Saturday 26th July: Merthyr Tydfil v Newport County