Luton Town have confirmed the appointment of Nathan Jones as their new first-team manager. He leaves his role as first-team coach at Brighton & Hove Albion with immediate effect, signing a two-and-a-half year deal at Kenilworth Road.
The 42-year-old has enjoyed coaching spells at Charlton Athletic but most of his time since retiring has been at Amex Stadium. He has been part of the coaching staff under managers Oscar Garcia, Sami Hyypia and most recently Chris Hughton. Jones returns to familiar ground after having a one-year spell at Luton at the beginning of his playing career before leaving to play in Spain.
Luton Town chief executive Gary Sweet expressed his happiness at welcoming Jones to the club, in his first managerial role of his career,
“On behalf of the board I am thrilled and excited to welcome Nathan Jones to Luton Town.
After a lengthy and thorough process, in which we received numerous excellent candidates for the position, we believe that we have found the best man to lead the club’s footballing aspirations forward.
Nathan is a professional, disciplined, strong and open-minded character who is going to install a hard-working team ethic and, important, the prospect of fast free-flowing football to Kenilworth Road.”
A formal press conference will take place tomorrow to officially welcome Jones to the club. He takes over from Andy Awford, who had been in caretaker charge following the sacking of John Still, who has since returned to management at Dagenham & Redbridge.
Chris Hughton told the Brighton & Hove Albion official website that Jones will be greatly missed, but wished him well in his new venture,
“Nathan has been an important member of my backroom team as first-team coach during my tenure, and while I can only comment about the time I have been here, I am aware that he’s also been an important part of the coaching team in recent seasons.
Since I arrived, he has been an enormous help to me in my first year in the job; and alongside Colin Calderwood, he has been a big part in our progress in the last 12 months. I think he has all the attributes to become a very good manager.”
Jones’ first game in the Luton Town dugout won’t take place this weekend as the club are without a game. Therefore he’ll have to wait a little longer, as a week on Saturday at home to Cambridge United, with the Hatters nine points off the League Two play-off places and 12 points ahead of the relegation zone.
