Newtown part ways with former Port Vale manager, ex-Shrewsbury Town coach appointed
LLANUWCHLLYN, GWYNEDD, WALES - 19th OCTOBER 2024 - Newtown's Scott Ruscoe during CPD Llanuwchllyn vs Newtown AFC in Round 2 of the FAW Welsh Cup at the Village Hall, Llanuwchllyn (Pic by Sam Eaden/FAW)
Newtown have announced that they have parted company with first-team manager Scott Ruscoe.
The Robins part ways with Ruscoe following a goalless draw with Bala Town last Saturday. Newtown are ninth in the Cymru Premier at the time of Ruscoe’s departure, however, they were knocked out of the Welsh Cup by Llanuwchllyn on penalties.
Ruscoe returned to Welsh football in January, having been manager of Port Vale’s under-18s team. He played for Newtown during his playing career but is most remembered for his time at TNS. He lifted the league title nine times as a player, and then two more times as manager of the Oswestry side.
During his 10-month reign in charge of Newtown, he oversaw 28 matches with a record of eight wins, six draws and 14 defeats.
In a club statement published on their social media feeds, it read: “Newtown AFC can confirm that first team Manager Scott Ruscoe has left the club, with immediate effect.
“We would like to thank Scott for all of his hard work and dedication during his time with our club, and wish him all the very best for the future.”
Two Cymru Premier clubs without a manager
Following Ruscoe’s exit from Latham Park, Callum McKenzie has been placed in charge of first-team affairs. McKenzie has a longstanding connection with Newtown, having been a player, before taking up a post in 2013, working under Bernie McNally, and later Chris Hughes.
He played for the club when Brian Coyne was in charge, and is a UEFA A Licence holder. He has coaching experience with Cardiff City and Everton and had a role at Shrewsbury Town’s academy for seven years.
In August 2021, he was appointed the club’s technical director, overseeing several aspects of the club including the academy programme. McKenzie was caretaker manager in January when Chris Hughes left, overseeing a 3-1 defeat to Newtown.
This is the third managerial change of the season. Neil Gibson left Connah’s Quay in August and was replaced by Billy Paynter, whilst Aberystwyth Town are still without a manager after parting ways with Anthony ‘Taff’ Williams with Dave Taylor still in caretaker charge.
Newtown play fellow managerless club Aberystwyth Town at Park Avenue in the Cymru Premier on Friday, November 8 at 7.45 pm.
