Newport County head coach Nelson Jardim has left his position by mutual consent, the club have announced.
Jardim leaves with County in 20th place in League Two, with two matches remaining of his first season at the helm.
The Portuguese coach – who took over at Rodney Parade last summer – won 13 of his 44 league matches in charge, giving him a win percentage of 29 per cent.
He was appointed by Newport chairman Huw Jenkins, who had worked with Jardim during the pair’s time at Swansea City, where Jardim had been as assistant coach and academy head.
A statement from the club said: “With his 12-month contract due to expire at the end of the season, Jardim felt it was in everybody’s interests to come to a decision on his future at the earliest opportunity.”
Jardim, 46, said: “The plan was always to meet (with chairman Huw Jenkins) at the end of the season to discuss the future.
“But with safety secured on Monday, it was agreed to bring the meeting forward.
“Having completed the job I was asked to do, I felt it was time for a new challenge; spend time with my young family, while also giving the club the extra time to plan for my successor.
“I want to thank the players and the fans for their support this season. I’m sure the majority understood that the task I faced was always going to be a tough one with so many new, inexperienced players joining the club.
“But we got the job done, so from that point of view I only see it as a success.
“We gave 18 debuts to new signings, 12 of which made their League debuts, and I think the experience they’ve gained will only stand them and the club in good stead for the future.’’
READ MORE: Nelson Jardim Proud Of Newport's Spirit As Season Finishing Line Comes Into View
A 0-0 draw at home to Walsall on Bank Holiday Monday secured Newport’s status in League Two for another season, but it has been an inconsistent campaign with Jardim regularly expressing his frustration with soft goals given away and points dropped.
County end their season with a trip to Fleetwood Town on Saturday followed by a home match Tranmere Rovers.
In his debut season at the helm, Jardim inherited a side in transition—light on experience and relying heavily on youth.
Despite enduring a seven-game winless run and currently sitting 20th with 49 points, there’s an underlying sense that Jardim has laid a foundation amid difficult circumstances.
His willingness to trust emerging talent—handing out 12 EFL debuts—has been both a necessity and a bold managerial call, one that speaks to his long-term vision for the club.
“We don't hide the fact that we have conceded a lot of goals, down to some lack of experience,” he admitted after Monday’s defeat.
“But we all knew that it was going to be tough. I knew I had to be a very positive coach and have a growth mindset with the players.”
READ MORE: Nelson Jardim Insists Battling Draw For Newport County Can Prove To Be A Turning Point
Jardim has remained consistently optimistic in his approach, emphasising learning and development even through difficult patches.
"I'm proud of what we have been doing this season," he added.
"Sometimes things don't go our way. Set plays have let us down in a lot of games, but I think this league, it's tough in every game... It's about being consistent."
While performances have fluctuated, Jardim has helped steer the club clear of the drop in a campaign marked by instability and inexperience.
The challenge now is converting survival into sustained progress.
Having finished 18th with 55 points last season, County can still match that tally if they win their remaining two matches.
READ MORE: Nelson’s Bad Column . . . Newport County Away Wins Tally Is Bad News For Boss Jardim
