Newport County’s Man Utd-supporting boss hits out at departing Jurgen Klopp

Newport boss Graham Coughlan has ordered Jurgen Klopp and Co to cease moaning about FA Cup replays.

The Liverpool chief, who’s leaving Anfield on the finish of the season, has lengthy led the requires Cup ties, from the third spherical onwards, to be selected the day – with extra-time and penalties if required. That will occur this yr after the fourth spherical motion, whereas subsequent season the FA are contemplating scrapping them altogether.

However, Coughlan, whose League Two outfit host Manchester United on Sunday, argues that might be a large mistake. As far as he’s involved, the loaded English elite have squads giant sufficient to deal with a number of competitions and extra fixtures.

READ MORE: Gary Neville trolls Jamie Carragher after Klopp decides to go away Liverpool

BUY HERE: Premier League Darts preview – on sale now forward of Luke Littler’s debut

Throw in the truth that incomes a replay towards a giant gun can remodel a minnow’s finances in a single day – and in some case hold them afloat – and Coughlan reckons they’re important to a wholesome pyramid system.

The self-confessed diehard United fan declared: “We shouldn’t be bowing right down to managers who complain and moan about replays as a result of they’re half and parcel of the English recreation.

“I’d by no means heard everyone whingeing and moaning about replays till not too long ago.

“But why should every other club in the country be punished because these others are in the Champions League and Europe and have more games to play?

“They have big enough squads to compete on all levels. And replays are and have been the lifeline of many a (smaller) club for many a year. That’s why we can’t lose them.”

A draw on Sunday afternoon and Newport will probably be heading to Old Trafford for one more crack at Erik ten Hag’s outfit.

Dublin-born Coughlan and his household are lifelong Reds – and the County supremo can reel off a stream of Wembley finals he attended from the mid-80s onwards.

Yet, whereas one among his heroes from yesteryear, fellow Irishman Roy Keane not too long ago labelled Ten Hag’s crop as softies by comparability to the groups produced by Sir Alex Ferguson, Coughlan begs to vary.

The ex-Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth defender, 49, stated: “The bodily nature of the sport has modified dramatically over time.

“But this United have got steel. Their players wouldn’t be in the Premier League, if they didn’t.

“They’ve had a lot of adversity chucked at them but they have come through the other side. Look at Harry Maguire, he had the armband taken off him but comes back even stronger.

“United and steel go together. Steel is part and parcel of the club. It’s in their DNA. So, I’d suggest they have plenty of backbone.”

This article accommodates affiliate hyperlinks, we’ll obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it.
Learn extra

Watch soccer, F1, golf, tennis, cricket and extra

Get all the game you may ever ask for

Sky Sports is bringing you 500 reside soccer video games to look at, as properly entry to Cricket, Golf, F1, Boxing, NFL, NBA and extra throughout eight devoted channels. Sky Sports is the solely approach to watch all of the motion this yr.

£22 a month

Sky

County are seven video games undefeated in all competitions and have an honest current report within the Cup. They have reached this stage 4 instances in seven years, together with dropping at Man City within the fifth spherical in 2019.

Hence, Coughlan is assured they’ll deal with dealing with ‘the world’s greatest membership’, saying: “I don’t think this group will freeze for one moment. They’ll relish the occasion. There are no fears of freezing.

“If anything, they’ll keep rising and rising and rising. It’s part of our character and DNA.”