WITH English managers the new trendy must have item in the Football League, Newport County coach Wayne Hatswell is grateful that Justin Edinburgh remains committed to the cause at Rodney Parade, writes Michael Pearlman.

Edinburgh hit national headlines at the start of last term for blasting the lack of British managers in the top divisions, but will have been pleased to see Russell Slade, Gary Rowett and Lee Clark taking the Cardiff, Birmingham and Blackpool vacancies in the past few weeks.

Rowett’s departure pushes Edinburgh just one place outside the top ten longest serving managers in English football, now up to 11th.

Edinburgh signed a long term deal with the Exiles last term and insists he’s keen to bring long term consolidation and stability to the club having led them back to the Promised Land.

And while Hatswell admits Newport won’t keep the boss forever, he’s confident that the ex-Tottenham defender is in no rush to seek pastures new.

“It’s good to see these guys getting a chance, it’s encouraging for all of us, I was reading an article about impatient chairman only this week, it’s the nature of the beast,” he said.

“There are a lot of clubs changing managers, the gaffer is now the 11th longest serving boss and that shows what a tough industry it is and how well he’s done.

“He’s linked with other jobs, he’s been here three years, and you never say never, we don’t have a crystal ball, but he’s doing so well here.

“We are in the play-off spots without even playing as well as we believe we can and I think we’ll be better this year, so the gaffer will get mentioned with other jobs. But our board will want to keep hold of him and ensure he has the right motivation to stay here.

“The ten managers who have served for longer than him, they’ve stayed at those clubs for a reason haven’t they?”