NEWPORT County have parted company with ex Southend United coach Graham Coughlan by mutual consent after 20 months as their manager.

County finished 18th in League Two, 13 points above the relegation zone, and reached the FA Cup fourth round, where they lost at home to Manchester United.

But County lost their last eight matches of the campaign, a run of games in which they scored just four goals.

Newport chairman Huw Jenkins told the club website: “I have total respect for Graham and found this decision particularly difficult to make considering all the hard work he has put in to help stabilise the club over the last 18 months.

“It goes without saying that I wish Graham every success in his future managerial career.

“However, moving forward I must take the club and the team in a different direction and stay true to my own beliefs which I feel over time will bring sustained success to Newport County and hopefully change the club’s outlook for many years ahead.”

Coughlan joined Blues in the summer of 2010 and held a number of positions at the club including assistant manager before leaving in January 2018.