Christian Fuchs turned out for Grindleford in a cricket friendly a week after quiting Newport County [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Christian Fuchs says he left his role as Newport County manager with "great sadness" after securing their League Two survival in May. The former Austria defender had only been in the post for seven months before announcing his resignation on the eve of pre-season. Fuchs has now released a statement - seven weeks after his sudden departure - with a suggestion he did not want to leave Rodney Parade. He does not, however, give a specific reason for leaving what was his first head coach role. "I had hoped this journey would continue, and it is with great sadness that I left Newport, but football doesn't always allow for things to work out the way you would like," he said. "Sometimes different paths emerge, and I respect that."
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Fuchs has been succeeded by former Fulham U21's boss Hayden Mullins, who will lead Newport into their season opener at home to Rochdale on Saturday (12:30 BST). They will be hoping to avoid yet another relegation struggle this campaign, having secured a great escape on the final day of last season. The club looked to former Premier League winner Fuchs last November when they were bottom of the table, having only won three of 16 league games under David Hughes. "To go from where we started to securing safety, with 12 wins along the way, is something I'll always look back on with pride. It was a team effort in every sense," said Fuchs. "I leave knowing we achieved our main objective and with complete belief that the club has a strong foundation to build on. "As for me, I am excited for whatever comes next. I will take the experiences, memories, and lessons from Newport with me, and I look forward to getting back on the training pitch and into the dugout when the right opportunity comes along." Speaking shortly after Fuchs' departure Newport chairman Huw Jenkins told the BBC he was both "surprised" and "disappointed" at the former Leicester City defender's decision. Jenkins did not elaborate on the reasons for the Austrian's sudden exit, saying only: "You'll have to speak to him, really, to get any more detail on that."
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