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Rob Edwards has been appointed as manager of Luton Town on a three-and-a-half year contract until June 2026.
Edwards’ appointment comes after Nathan Jones’ departure to become manager at Southampton last week, with Mick Harford having taken charge of the Hatters’ draw against Rotherham at Kenilworth Road last weekend.
This decision also sees Edwards return to the second-tier just two months after he was unexpectedly sacked as Head Coach at Watford, following an inconsistent start to the season for the Hornets but left with the club sat one point outside of the play-offs – which Luton currently also find themselves in now.
Speaking about his decision to become Luton’s new manager, Edwards commented: “I’m absolutely delighted to be here. It’s a really exciting opportunity to manage this great football club and I can’t wait to get started.”
Edwards also reflected on his preception of the club prior to being appointed as manager, as he said: “From the outside, looking in at Luton Town, you see such a well-run football club, a club that’s growing, moving forward and competing at the right end of the Championship.
“It’s a club that did fantastically well last season and is doing so well now.
“When the opportunity opened up, straight away, you see there is a terrific group of players there and a club that’s only looking in one direction.”
Edwards added that he felt “a warm feeling” as he met club staff and stated that he clearly believes that the Hatters is a club “that puts its people and supporters first.”
Despite the club currently being on a mid-season break due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Edwards praised the high morale that continues to circulate at Kenilworth Road as he concluded: “I feel a lot of positivity around the place, and I’m really thankful to be given the chance to be part of it.”
Luton though are local rivals of Edwards’ previous team – Watford of which the 39 year-old has acknowledged as creating “a difficulty” for the club when deciding upon his appointment, as he vowed to not take his new job “for granted.”
Addressing any concerns amongst Luton supporters as he calls for support, Edwards issued the following comment: “I can’t wait to proudly step out in this stadium that’s known for its great atmosphere, as Luton Town manager, in front of the loyal supporters and grow to earn their trust.
“I know, as a visitor, how difficult they make it for the opposition – and long may that continue – and I’m really eager to make a strong connection with them right from the start.”
Edwards also took a moment to pay tribute to Jones and his coaching staff for their work to develop the club, as he added: “I also have to recognise the brilliant work done by Nathan, Chris and Alan – along with every other member of staff.
“They’ve left the football club in brilliant place and it’s down to us now to try and keep building on that brilliant work.”
Luton CEO, Gary Sweet added that the club is “delighted” to appoint Edwards as their new manager, as he stated that the managerial search was “very thorough” with “hard work and intelligence” involved in the “unanimous decision.”
Sweet swiftly proceeded to address supporter concerns around Edwards’ appointment, as he iterated that the club “fully understand the concerns some supporters may have with his previous Club, but the one action Watford did that impressed us in recent times was their appointment of Rob!”
Acknowledging the idea of avoiding anyone who had a connection to local rival clubs, Sweet joked that their managerial choices would be “more limited” in that instance and reminded supporters of joint movement of players over the decades.
Sweet though urged supporters to note that Edwards had only spent a few months at Watford and is “confident” that he will feel more of a member at Luton, due to his “limited association” with the Hornets.
Issuing a plea for calmness and support of Edwards, Sweet said: “We urge everyone to back our decision to appoint Rob, back him, his staff and of course, back their team out on the pitch as we kick-off an exciting new era.”
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