Luton Town have appointed Brighton coach Nathan Jones as their new manager.
The 42-year-old began his professional playing career at Kenilworth Road and succeeds John Still by signing a two-and-a-half year contract.
The Welshman gained a reputation as first-team coach at Brighton & Hove Albion assisting Chris Hughton in the Seagulls unbeaten start to the season, until their first defeat against Middlesbrough in mid-December. Holding the fort as caretaker manager of Brighton prior to Hughton taking over as boss in December 2014.
Hatters chief executive Gary Sweet felt assured over Jones‘ ability to make the step up from coach as an untested manager, and took the decision to usher in a new brand of ‘fast-flowing football‘.
Sweet had the following to say on Luton Town’s website: “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 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, importantly, the prospect of fast-flowing football to Kenilworth Road.
“The board believe Nathan will modernise our club’s football culture, blending the elements of our footballing heritage with a modern, forward-thinking philosophy.
“As a club we realise a change of thinking will not happen overnight, but we are already excited at the prospect of Nathan’s ideas and vision for Luton Town,” Sweet stated.
https://twitter.com/cocowasp/status/684818949222084608
Hughton: "He has been an enormous help to me in my first year in the job." #BHAFC https://t.co/NGXCr409c2 pic.twitter.com/u9SbA2asGh
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) January 6, 2016