Southampton are getting closer to complete the appointment of Nathan Jones as new manager: he has confirmed that he'll speak to Southampton board on Wednesday 🚨⚪️🔴 #SaintsFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 8, 2022
Jones added that he feels "ready for PL" but also that departure is "not guaranteed", told @5livesport. pic.twitter.com/E9K0FfMGHK
Luton Town are on the lookout for a new manager, following the departure of Nathan Jones to Southampton, after the sacking of Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Jones is a legendary figure at the club, having progressed them to a level that has seen them become Championship play-off contenders. When Jones initially took over at Kenilworth Road back in January 2016, Luton were in a relegation battle in League Two, before the Welshman won 11 out of his 21 matches in charge.
Following his the 2016/17 campaign, he made a series of crucial signings such as Marek Stech, Alan McCormack and James Collins and managed to finish as runner-up in League Two, earning the Hatters promotion to League One.
Jones then left the club the following season with his side sitting second in League One in January 2019 to join Championship outfit Stoke, where he lasted less than 12 months, having won just six of 38 matches in charge. This departure angered some fans due to Luton’s position, with the 49-year-old leaving them with the best points-per-game ratio of any manager in their Football League history, but, there was to be a redemption act by Jones.
In May 2020, Jones returned to Luton for the resumption of the 2019/20 season and pulled off the great escape in the Championship, helping the club finish 19th in the table from a bleak position, before seeing them progress to 12th and sixth-placed finishes in their forthcoming seasons.
It will be a tough task to follow in the steps of Jones, as the Welshman has done a sensational job at Luton on a small budget, but, it will also be a great opportunity for a new manager to showcase their skills with a squad that is clearly a close-knitted group and has the capability to overachieve.
đź—Ł "I'll go and speak to Southampton because it's a wonderful Premier League club."
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) November 8, 2022
Luton Town boss Nathan Jones admits he feels he's let his players down with the distraction of the speculation linking him to Southampton pic.twitter.com/s4ebPMvC9s