Former Birmingham City, Leicester City and Swansea coach lands League Two manager's job

Former Birmingham City coach Nelson Jardim has taken his first senior job in English football management.

The 50-year-old was the assistant manager at St Andrew's from August 2020 to March 2021, working under Aitor Karanka. During Karanka's time with Blues, he managed 38 games and was supported by Jardim, but the pair left with the club 21st in the table.

More than three years on since his departure, he is back in English football. Newport County have unveiled him as their new head coach. He was initially meant to be the club's lead coach, with the Exiles looking for someone for Jardim to work under, but instead they have given him the main job at Rodney Parade.

"The style of play is probably what attracted me to come back to Wales, where I was happy with my family and again be part of something I believe can be special," Jardim said to BBC Sport Wales after he was unveiled.

Newport have appointed someone who started out as a fitness coach, working under Paulo Sousa in 2009. He followed him to Leicester City, before returning to Portugal to assist Ivo Vieira at CD Nacional. Jardim also got to work as the fitness coach under Leonardo Jardim at Olympiacos.

In 2017, Jardim returned to Swansea for a second spell, working as their head of academy coaching. During his time in South Wales, he worked under Francesco Guidolin, Carlos Carvalhal and former Real Madrid assistant boss Paul Clement. All three have sent their best wishes to him as he tries to make a success of it in South Wales.

During his two spells with Swansea, he built up a strong relationship with their owner Huw Jenkins, and he has since taken over at Newport. The Portuguese coach is leaving his family behind to take the job at Newport, and is hoping his previous experiences in English football can help make him successful.

"To work with someone who has respect from everyone in the game here in the UK is massive for me. Basically he is a winner and played a big part in me coming over again," Jardim said about Jenkins.

"I picked up massive things, I am a little bit part of these people. You always learn and I am grateful to all of them and I have learned a lot from them."