Luton Town have confirmed the appointment of Graeme Jones as their new manager on a three-year contract.
The former Belgium and West Bromwich Albion assistant boss will take over from Mick Harford on 7 May and lead the Hatters in the Championship following their promotion from League One.
Luton will be the first managerial position for the forty-nine-year-old, Jones having spent eleven years as assistant to Roberto Martinez at Swansea, Wigan and Everton before joining the Spaniard in the Belgium set up and helping them to third place in last years World Cup.
Jones then took a similar role under Darren Moore at the Hawthorns in 2018. However, the pair were controversially dismissed by West Brom in March with the Baggies fourth in the Championship.
Luton earnt the right to play Championship football next season for the first time since 2007 despite losing Nathan Jones, who left to take over as Stoke City manager in January. Hatters legend Mick Harford was always expected to step aside for a longer-term appointment, and he will leave Jones a young, talented, energetic squad who could clinch the League One title with victory at home to Oxford United on Saturday.
Luton is a club on the up, having dropped out of the EFL in 2009 this seasons promotion will be their third in six seasons and the buoyant confident mood around Kenilworth Road was reflected in the positivity to the appointment by many supporters on social media.
He is a small selection of responses to the announcement.
Welcome to the best club in the world Graeme Jones – a good choice to start your managerial career! ⚽🧡 #COYH
— Daniel Harris (@Daniel_Harris91) May 2, 2019
Great news, manager in place and has the whole summer to get the team how be wants it. Great work 2020.
— Hatter 🎩 (@hatterscrypto) May 2, 2019
https://twitter.com/___GJS___/status/1123891593096892416
https://twitter.com/___GJS___/status/1123891593096892416
https://twitter.com/LutonEye/status/1123897847160680448
What a massive statement this is. Hopefully it will help attract players and keep some as well!!
— MarkRT (@mrtltfc) May 2, 2019
You got some boots to fill replacing Mick but i like what happened at Belgium so im sure you will be fine. I hear you are very dedicated and determined for success. Well you have come to the right club, great squad and new stadium in the pipeline lets get in the premiership.
— AIAI-1980 🇺🇦 (@PantlinAndrew) May 2, 2019
Yes it's a gamble but look how Nathan turned out.
Plus did you see the other names linked to the job, most were merry go round managers. No thanks, I'd rather take the gamble— Ian Beef Freeman (@ianbeeffreeman) May 2, 2019
Welcome Graeme. You'll like it here
— 𝙋𝙆 (@Andy_Peacock) May 2, 2019
https://twitter.com/CamLTFC1/status/1123890192098713600
