Newport County's Christian Fuchs is not exactly what you'd call a 'reclining manager', content with coasting through life on his managerial pension. No way. The former Austrian international defender and Foxes right-back turned Newport boss has more drive than a Ferrari at a drag race.
Fuchs values lessons learned from England manager Gareth Southgate, who tasked him with making good decision-makers during a stint at Mainz in 2010-11. "How can you challenge them mentally?" Fuchs recalls. That's the approach he and his assistant Mark Smith are taking to turn Newport's fortunes around.
The Austrian-born boss has a childhood full of doubters - people telling him he'd never make it as a player or manager. But this is exactly why Fuchs doesn't want to be told what can't be done. His 'I'm pretty stubborn' approach has already seen the team score 93rd-minute equalisers against Crewe and earn crucial points in their fight for survival.
The stats, though, paint a grim picture: Newport have won just three of their 19 league matches this season. But Fuchs isn't one to dwell on numbers. "What's so wrong with that?" he chuckles. His first game at Oldham was a direct, long-ball affair - but not the one Newport wants.
To build a fortress at Rodney Parade, Fuchs needs his players to be one unit, working together like a well-oiled machine. And it starts from within. "I'm still a player in here," he says, tapping his chest. Even after retirement less than three years ago, Fuchs is always joining in the training boxes - two nutmegs already!
When asked about Tuchel's managerial style, Fuchs reveals that his former boss enjoyed being in the thick of things, like he does now at Newport. "I want us to see each other as one team... Yes, you're the ones on the field, but we're one team, we're working on this together."
At just 39 years old, Christian Fuchs is proving that age isn't a barrier to success in football management. The former Foxes right-back has already shown his determination and work ethic during his short tenure at Newport County. Now it's time for the gaffer to put his plans into action - and hope they bring the Three Points back to Rodney Parade.
Fuchs values lessons learned from England manager Gareth Southgate, who tasked him with making good decision-makers during a stint at Mainz in 2010-11. "How can you challenge them mentally?" Fuchs recalls. That's the approach he and his assistant Mark Smith are taking to turn Newport's fortunes around.
The Austrian-born boss has a childhood full of doubters - people telling him he'd never make it as a player or manager. But this is exactly why Fuchs doesn't want to be told what can't be done. His 'I'm pretty stubborn' approach has already seen the team score 93rd-minute equalisers against Crewe and earn crucial points in their fight for survival.
The stats, though, paint a grim picture: Newport have won just three of their 19 league matches this season. But Fuchs isn't one to dwell on numbers. "What's so wrong with that?" he chuckles. His first game at Oldham was a direct, long-ball affair - but not the one Newport wants.
To build a fortress at Rodney Parade, Fuchs needs his players to be one unit, working together like a well-oiled machine. And it starts from within. "I'm still a player in here," he says, tapping his chest. Even after retirement less than three years ago, Fuchs is always joining in the training boxes - two nutmegs already!
When asked about Tuchel's managerial style, Fuchs reveals that his former boss enjoyed being in the thick of things, like he does now at Newport. "I want us to see each other as one team... Yes, you're the ones on the field, but we're one team, we're working on this together."
At just 39 years old, Christian Fuchs is proving that age isn't a barrier to success in football management. The former Foxes right-back has already shown his determination and work ethic during his short tenure at Newport County. Now it's time for the gaffer to put his plans into action - and hope they bring the Three Points back to Rodney Parade.