Christian Fuchs won the Premier League with Leicester City. Now he's moving plastic cones and grabbing training bibs at Newport County. Welcome to the unglamorous world of League Two football.
The former Austrian international has a massive task on his hands. When he took charge 11 weeks ago, Newport were rock bottom of the Football League. They're still in serious trouble, sitting three points from safety.
"I like a challenge but this, for my first job, is probably the toughest of them all," Fuchs admits. His first move? Texting his old Leicester mate Jamie Vardy, who's now playing in Italy. "I asked Jamie if he wants to pack his bags," Fuchs grins. "Of course I did, even though I knew what the answer would be!"
The results haven't been great so far. Just two wins from 12 league games, though one of those was Newport's first home victory in 289 days. A recent defeat to fellow strugglers Bristol Rovers hurt their survival chances.
Fuchs is drawing on everything he learned from top managers like Thomas Tuchel, Claudio Ranieri, and Brendan Rodgers. "You take bits and pieces - good things and bad things - but then you adapt it," he explains. "I have phone numbers. I was just on two phone calls this morning to ask for advice."
From Leicester Glory to Newport's Battle
It's a far cry from winning the title with Leicester ten years ago. This Friday marks a decade since Leicester beat Manchester City 3-1 at the Etihad, the moment many started believing in the impossible 5,000-1 dream.
Fuchs never planned to be a manager. He had businesses, a clothing line, even wanted to be an NFL kicker. But his friend Mark Smith, whose dad is a Newport season ticket holder, invited him to watch a game. Owner Huw Jenkins called, and suddenly the Disney World family holiday was postponed.
Meanwhile, his beloved Leicester are in chaos. Twice relegated, facing a possible points deduction, and now searching for their fifth manager in 20 months after sacking Marti Cifuentes. "It hurts because I'll always be a Leicester supporter," Fuchs says. "I have watched almost every single game since I left."
Andy King, another title winner, is now Leicester's interim boss. Fuchs texted him immediately: "You got this." The 2016 champions' WhatsApp group is still active, with players watching out for each other.
Dreams of a Leicester Return
Fuchs makes no secret about his ultimate ambition. Would he love to manage Leicester one day? "Yes," he answers immediately. "I went through everything with that club. That creates a special bond."
But first, he needs to keep Newport up. The bookies have them at around 9/4 to survive - not favourites, but much shorter odds than Leicester's 5,000-1 title shot. Could pulling off this escape rival that miracle?
"I think that would be a stretch...but it would be very close," Fuchs says with a smile. For bettors watching League Two's relegation battle, Newport's odds suggest it's genuinely touch and go.
Fuchs is trying to build team spirit the Leicester way. He took players to a spa with a pool obstacle course - winner gets a day off, loser has to sing. He's even planning to bring in a magician.
"We are a small team, but we are big enough," he insists. "We were always underestimated with Leicester. You know you're so close to making that change." With just weeks left in the season, Newport's survival fight is going down to the wire.
