Nathan Jones has left Luton Town to take over the management reins at Stoke City.
The Welshman leaves the League One outfit second in the table after a thirteen game unbeaten run which has seen the Hatters take thirty-three points from a possible thirty-nine.
The 45-year-old departs Kenilworth Road three days after his third anniversary of taking charge, having been appointed on January 6, 2016, as the replacement for John Still.
Jones brand of slick, attacking football caught the eye of Stoke City, who made their approach after reportedly failing in their attempt to lure their first choice, former Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic to the Bet365 stadium.
Jones called the decision to quit the relative security of Luton Town, where is rightly revered by the supporters for the job he has done, to become Stoke City’s third full-time manager since they sacked Mark Hughes in January 2018 has “the toughest decision of my life.”
Many Hatters supporters were angry at the departure, highlighting the how the move has shown up the insincerity of Jones passion for the club. Others were more resigned to the fact the when a bigger club comes in for an ambitious manager there is not much a club like Luton can do. Some questioned the choice of destination given Stokes trigger happy recruitment policy in the past year. Here is a selection of their responses.
Don’t come crying back when it falls apart
— arthur mason (@artjmas) January 9, 2019
😧 Can't stop ambition, thanks Nathan for getting this far, its fantastic what you achieved in a short space of time. Feeling a bit crushed like a lot of the fans no doubt, a few hours after the announcement. That's football. #COYH
— David Hoar (@dhoar) January 9, 2019
The man is a legend and I will always be thankful for him turning us from relegation candidates to fighting for promotion to The Championship #NathanJones #CymruAmByth
— BruvvaUK (@bruvvauk) January 9, 2019
https://twitter.com/LuTonino/status/1082987294326513664
Only thing must of been money 💰 can’t be anything else here. It is a job but Stoke is such a bad fit for Nathan. Ageing squad, brand of football, cut-throat nature of hire and fire. Other job offers for him would’ve been available in the summer no doubt!
— Michael Ridley (@MRidley92) January 9, 2019
Unbelievable ,well money talks i guess. Not loyal as we all believed you were. So you will be beating your chest and kissing the badge, giving the heart sign at stoke until someone else comes knocking.
— Graham (@GBright30) January 9, 2019
Gutted is an understatement. Probably the most significant month in our History, and this happens. Good luck gaffer, let's hope you last longer than the previous managers. Still going Saturday, and we'll sing louder than ever #COYH
— Peter Appleyard (@Pete_LTFC) January 9, 2019
Well just goes to show … the shit he talks … he said it would take a very special club to take him away from Luton.. he says Barcelona..now he goes to STOKE … let's hope he fails miserably there ..He had a safe job at Luton ..this will be Stokes 4th manager In 12 months
— Gordon Renton (@RentonGordon) January 9, 2019
How gullible was I believing in all the hype & chest thumping
Didn’t finish the job— Adam (@tweetertucker) January 9, 2019
I feel totally sick and betrayed. Totally lost all respect for him. Never want to see him back in Luton ever again. To leave at such a vital time after all his claims of love for the club and how our players should stay is something I can’t condone.
— John Cawdell (@JohnCawdell) January 9, 2019
I reckon he wanted to but at this stage in his career it’s too big to turn down plus it’s his retirement sorted
— J-O-X-E-R (@DarrenMcEvoy1) January 9, 2019
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