JOE Dunne should never have been allowed to leave Colchester United, according to Newport County boss Graham Coughlan.
Dunne is set to return to the U's today in his role as Newport's number two alongside Coughlan, having departed his assistant head coach role at the JobServe Community Stadium in September after Wayne Brown's exit.
Dunne is still a popular character at Colchester and their fans, having represented them with distinction over the years in a variety of different roles, including head coach and player.
He played more than 160 league games as a right-back over two separate spells for Colchester, before then progressing through the coaching ranks at the club.
The Irishman spent nearly two years in charge as U’s head coach and also represented the club as a under-18 coach, assistant manager and caretaker manager.
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Coughlan, who appointed Dunne as his number two after taking charge at Newport in October, says the Dubliner's knowledge and work is invaluable.
Coughlan told the Newport County website: "Joe will be very useful to have, not only for Saturday because it's Colchester but it's a club that he speaks highly of.
"He's done a tremendous job there, at all levels.
"I think he's done every job, apart from kit man or boot man at the club - he's done everything at the football club.
"Joe should never have been allowed to leave the football club, but he has been so hey ho - their loss is our gain.
"I like to be challenged; I like it when the players challenge me.
"I like it when the players ask me questions and they come to me with problems - Joe comes to me with solutions; he doesn't come to me with problems.
"He thinks like a manager because he's been there, so we've got a very good relationship.
"He's very analytical and very cool, calm, collected.
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"We're probably two different characters and it's probably why we get on so well and do so well.
"He's got a good eye for players as well and the players love him; the players get on great with him.
"The amount of players that both myself and Joe have helped through in their careers and pushed on to bigger and better things - that's when me and Joe smile and that's what brings us to life, when we push players on and get them onto the next level."
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