Graham Coughlan (born 18 November 1974) is an Irish professional football manager and former player who played as a centre back. He is currently manager of EFL League Two club Newport County. Coughlan began his career in his native Ireland with Bray Wanderers, before being signed by Blackburn Rovers. He joined Livingston in 1999 and his performances for the Scottish club led to a transfer to Plymouth Argyle two years later. He was an integral member of the squad that won two Football League divisional championships between 2002 and 2004, and was a favourite among supporters for his uncompromising style of play at the heart of their defence. Coughlan joined Sheffield Wednesday in 2005, before dropping down to League Two to play for Rotherham United. He moved on to Shrewsbury Town a year later and combined playing duties with coaching their young players. He signed for Southend United in July 2010, taking up a coaching position at the club in 2013, before going on to manage Bristol Rovers and Mansfield Town. Playing career Early years Coughlan started his playing career at Leinster Senior League side Cherry Orchard, he then briefly moved to League of Ireland club Bray Wanderers. At 21, he was brought to England by then Blackburn Rovers manager Ray Harford but struggled to earn a place in the Premier League Champions' first team. Loan spells at Swindon Town and Livingston followed before he made a permanent move to the Scottish club in the Summer of 1999 having impressed whilst on loan there. Coughlan spent two successful seasons at Livingston before moving back to England to Devon club Plymouth Argyle. Plymouth Argyle A highly successful four-year spell at the club followed, with Coughlan a permanent fixture, earning his name in the PFA Division Three team of the year for 2001–02. He played a key role in Plymouth's Championship-winning teams for Division Three, where he was top goalscorer, and Division Two where he was named as Division Two's Player of the year. Coughlan was voted the club's player of the year in 2002 and was also named in the greatest Plymouth Team by fans to mark the club's first 100 years as a professional club. Coughlan was also Vice-Captain of Plymouth and his influence and stature was missed for nearly two seasons in their defence after he was sold to Sheffield Wednesday which they then managed to fill with Krisztián