Next Newport County manager: Bristol Rovers trio in running as Wrexham-man favourite

Newport County are on the search for a new manager after parting company with James Rowberry, following a poor start to the season

Rowberry was relieved of his duties on Monday afternoon after less than a year in charge of the Rodney Parade hot seat.

His first match in charge was a win against Bristol Rovers but the Gas are now in League One, whilst the Exiles languish near the bottom in League Two.

Technical director Darren Kelly has been placed in interim charge but the Welsh club are now on the lookout for a new manager.

Who are the men in the running for the post and is there anyone who was at Rovers in the running?

At the moment, former Wrexham defender David Artell is the clear favourite of the role, with Kelly behind him. Artell was manager of Crewe Alexandra but was sacked after their relegation earlier this year.

Graham Alexander has the same probability as Kelly whilst Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is also being considered amongst the early candidates. The Chelsea legend recently resigned from Burton Albion after a poor start to the season with the Brewers. Lower on down the list is Paul Tisdale, who hasn’t been in work since being sacked in March by Stevenage.

Tisdale is the top former Rovers candidate with others outsiders for the role when assessing the market.

He was sacked by the Gas after less than three months in charge after replacing Ben Garner, with them involved in a relegation battle. An advisory role with Colchester United was held and then he joined the Hertfordshire outfit.

Tisdale suffered the same fate as he did at Rovers, sacked after a short period at the club, and was replaced by Steve Evans.

As for another Rovers candidate, Ian Holloway is amongst those who are the furthest out but in consideration.

Ian Holloway in March 2021 revealed that he was considering managerial retirement after 25-years in the dugout as a manager. He began management by taking up a player-manager role at Rovers and was successful with Blackpool, leading them to an unlikely season in the Premier League.

The 59-year-old has not been in management since being relieved of his duties by Grimsby Town.

Another experienced manager Tony Pulis is also amongst the long-list of candidates. The 64-year-old is from Newport but began his playing career at Bristol Rovers and had two spells there in between a year-long stint with Happy Valley in Hong Kong. Pulis would go on to manage Rovers’ inter-city rivals Bristol City for a season and even signed ex-Gas player Peter Beadle.

The Welshman has not been involved with management since he was sacked by Sheffield Wednesday after just ten matches in 2020.

Next Newport County manager (as per BetVictor at 12:32)

David Artell - 1/2

Darren Kelly - 10/1

Graham Alexander - 10/1

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink - 12/1

Kevin Ellison - 14/1

Darren Ferguson - 16/1

Paul Tisdale - 16/1*

Ian Holloway - 25/1*

Tony Pulis - 25/1*

*Odds right at the time of publication