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Favourites to become new Luton manager as Rob Edwards leaves after 10 away defeats in a row

We take a look at the favourites to become new Luton Town manager as Rob Edwards leaves after 10 away defeats in a row.

Rob Edwards, who previously managed Watford, took over at Luton after Nathan Jones’ departure to Southampton, and managed to lead the Hatters to promotion to the Premier League through the playoffs, but the team struggled significantly in the Championship after relegation from the top flight.

This poor first half of the season, seeing them sitting 20th, and two points above the drop zone, has put considerable pressure on Edwards, leading to his departure by mutual consent as per recent reports on social media and news outlets.

His exit comes amidst a challenging period for the Hatters, which has now slipped into the relegation zone, highlighting the difficulties in maintaining form and results away from home.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Luton Town Football Club can confirm that Rob Edwards has left his role as manager by mutual agreement.

Rob was appointed in November 2022, and once the Championship had resumed following the break for the Qatar World Cup, together with assistants Richie Kyle and Paul Trollope, he took over a side sitting 10th, one point outside the play-offs.

The trio guided the Hatters to third place, including a first derby win in front of fans for 17 years, then a stunning play-off semi-final success over Sunderland before winning promotion to the Premier League with a penalty shoot-out victory over Coventry.

They gave a generation of Luton Town supporters the greatest day of their lives at Wembley on 27th May 2023, completing the final leg of the rise from non-league football to the top-flight, and every Hatter will remain eternally grateful for that entry to the Club’s history books.

On that day at the national stadium and then again four months into the Premier League campaign, at Bournemouth, Rob led with compassion and dignity in the wake of the two episodes which saw his captain, Tom Lockyer, collapse on a pitch with heart issues.

We could have not wished for a better man to understand what it takes to be manager of Luton Town, one who acted as an ambassador for the club and community in the glare of the world’s media spotlight.

We enjoyed the highs of Goodison Park and that maiden Premier League win, the demolition of Brighton under the Kenilworth Road lights and the part the Town played in the 4-4 classic at Newcastle after also taking a point, and so very nearly all three, off Liverpool as the battle against relegation went right to the final day.

The current campaign back in the Championship has clearly not progressed as anticipated, and after holding amicable talks following Monday’s defeat at QPR, the board and Rob have agreed to part with immediate effect.

FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW LUTON MANAGER:

BetVictor – 4pm – 9th January 2025
Matt Bloomfield – 1/1
Neil Harris – 5/1
Steven Schumacher – 8/1
David Wagner – 10/1
Steve Cooper – 10/1
Russell Martin – 10/1
Neil Lennon – 12/1
Gary O’Neil – 12/1

Sky Bet – 4pm – 9th January 2025
Matt Bloomfield – 11/10
Neil Lennon – 6/1
David Wagner – 8/1
Gary O’Neil – 10/1
Neil Harris – 12/1
Steve Cooper – 12/1
Steven Schumacher – 12/1

Town CEO Gary Sweet said: “As with all decisions to part company with a manager, this has been a tough decision to arrive at, together with Rob, who has conducted himself with great professionalism and dignity throughout his two years at the Club, and again this week as we have genuinely come to a mutual conclusion.

“Rob has given us some of our greatest days to celebrate as Hatters. Those two barnstorming derby victories at Kenilworth Road, the play-off final at Wembley and our season in the Premier League will live with us forever and in doing so Rob has earned himself a legendary status.

“Results this season, especially away from home, have clearly not been acceptable and while we have supported Rob and his team in every possible way, we all felt that action was required to rectify this with 20 league matches still to play.

“It is typical of Rob’s humility that he also recognised this himself and leaves not just as a former manager, but as a trusted friend who has left his mark on every player and member of staff.

“Rob and his family will always be welcome visitors to Kenilworth Road. The door is always open. On behalf of the board, I would like to give him our heartfelt thanks for two years of tireless work and so many memories, wishing him every success for his future career.”

While the process to appoint a new manager is already underway, Paul Trollope and Richie Kyle, aided by Mick Harford, will take charge of the squad for Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie at Nottingham Forest.

STATEMENT FROM ROB EDWARDS:

It’s been a privilege to manage luton town football club, but now is the right time for me to move on, for the club and me.

I would like to thank Gary Sweet and the board for giving me the

Opportunity and for their support. To all the amazing

Staff in the offices, at the stadium and at the training ground, thank you, you’ve been incredible and I will miss you.

Thank you to all the staff in the academy for their support and hard work. You’re doing brilliant things, it’s been a pleasure for me to have been able to give debuts to joe, zack and josh. There are some really top young talent at the club.

Thanks to Mick, Kev and Kev, Pilks, Jaz, Thommo, the analysts, the groundsmen, the medical team the media team, rob and the kitchen staff, tt, Nicky Toone, Les – I’ll miss our very early chats at the gate! Dan the man, our brilliant coach driver, keep the darts practice going!

Richie and Paul thank you both. I couldn’t do it without you! You’re both so special.

Really proud of what we achieved, not only winning a play-off game which the club had struggled to do, but winning the final and gaining promotion to the Premier League at Wembley was the most amazing experience!
I take with me some incredible memories, not just the victories against Watford or Sunderland in the semi-final, or Brighton, Newcastle, Palace or Everton. But the way we did it, how we played against Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Villa and Manchester United, we were brave and brilliant to watch, how the Kenny bounced and roared! That’s what I’ll remember.

It wasn’t always easy, we lived through the most difficult times. What happened at Bournemouth last December will always remain with me. How the medical team reacted along with the paramedics to save Tom was remarkable. Truly heroic, and once again I want to thank them. The most important thing is that Tom Lockyer is with us and has a great chance to play again. I love you mate!

To the players, I say thank you. Thanks for always giving your best, thanks for keeping it fun and to those that were there, thanks for delivering in the biggest Moment of our lives!

To the fans, my memories will be 3,000 of you at stamford bridge after the final whistle and a 3-0 defeat, singing and making the noise of 50,000 people. Your support meant the world to me. You were great. Thanks to those who have continued to support during more difficult times.

The club is in great shape, financially, in a really strong position with an exciting new stadium on the horizon. I really hope I will be able to return as a fan.

The biggest thank-you goes to my family. They’ve lived through this rollercoaster with me, and looking forward to spending some time with them before being ready to go again!

Once again, it’s been a privilege.

Luton boss Rob Edwards said, per BBC Sport, after defeat to QPR:

“We’ve had some big chances ourselves, but it’s another game sitting here saying the same sort of things.

“They got a really fortuitous goal. You’re looking up to the heavens at that point. Every week on the road we seem to be getting hit and hit and hit.

“Things have gone against us recently. It just seems the footballing gods are against us.

“The results are not good enough. The players are giving everything, but we are in a results business.”

“Probably,” Edwards said when questioned whether he thought QPR’s opener would be ruled out via VAR. “But we’re not in the Premier League. That’s the situation. Things have gone against us really. The footballing gods aren’t on our side at the moment.

“In the second half we were excellent. We’ve got to score when we’re on top.

“The goal was frustrating, because when we conceded we had the momentum. It was a fortuitous goal but that’s how it’s going for us.

“The lads are giving us everything and you can see that. It feels like we’re on the ropes and we keep getting hit. And you wonder how long the lads can keep going.

“The results aren’t good enough. The performances are there, but it’s a results business. I’m here and I want to work and turn this around. That’s our aim. We believe in this group and we continue to fight.

“There’s a lot of fight in there. There was disappointment, anger and frustration in the dressing room. It’s hurting them as well. But it’s only us that can do something about it.”

Here’s how fans reacted amid the favourites to become new Luton manager as Rob Edwards leaves after 10 away defeats in a row…

@LTFCsam: So long Edwards. A brilliant and honest person and I wish him the best of luck in his next job. Time was right for a change, but this is still a sad day. Pleased it’s happened though

@DonLtfc: give me Schumacher please 🙏🏼

@Ryan_LTFC: this has been a long time coming (if true) it’ll be sad day when RE leaves. bought me the best day of life and I got to watch Luton in the premier league which 10 years ago didn’t think would ever happen. If he has gone I do wish him the best going forward & no hard feelings

@mickkent2: Too little, too late…….. wasted transfer windows, budgets misspent, tactics anybody’s guess, players demotivated. 4 year contract – this is on GS

@StretfordHatter: Rob Edwards ‘got’ us from the outset, made history & wonderful LTFC memories. Not something any of us wanted to happen but in the end it seemed like waiting for the inevitable. I wish him all the best.

@dharvey4: Exactly the same situation with Robins, we will always be grateful for the memories but it was time for both go imo

@ReeceDSport: Happier for his sake. Genuinely started to look unwell. Go and get some sleep Rob

@ltfc_ob6: Too late imo, but genuinely will be sad to see him go. Gutted it had to end how it did.

@wearelutontown: Well handled statement, exactly what he deserved. Thanks Rob!

@ben_combes: Thanks for the adventure Rob. I’m smiling that it happened rather than sad it’s over. The Wembley playoff final win, and our first Premier League home point (v Wolves) and win (v Palace) are forever memories with my kids. You made our non-league dreams come true. Hatter for life!

@SSE_LTFC: There it is. The right decision for all involved. Thanks for everything Rob now spend some well deserved time home and get yourself right.

@ltfc_t: Will forever be a legend at Luton. Gave us some of the best memories we could have asked for. Shame it had to end this way. Good luck in your next adventure Rob. 🧡

@EarlsJohn: Classy statement and photo. It needed to happen, but hopefully Edwards gets back to his best and thrives at his next club.

@georgeltfc_: Sorry Rob, had to happen. Forever gonna be grateful for the best days of my life supporting this club though. Top man and deserved more than what’s shown

@ChrisOwen1986: Correct decision but also very sad. Brought us very good times, including a year in the Prem which I never thought would happen. Good luck Rob! #onceahatteralwaysahatter

@adamcmb_: Thank you for giving us the best day of our lives and smashing them lot twice. 🧡

@Poults93: Correct decision. Players all seem half a yard off it and the in-game management has been very questionable. Nice bloke but the league table doesn’t lie in January.

@killawat: Genuinely sorry to see you go Rob. You gave me some of the greatest times I have ever had as a fan of this club. Memories to last a lifetime. Thank you and good luck for whatever comes next. #COYH

@liamrowlands94: Gave me the greatest day of my life. Very bittersweet. Really wanted him to turn it around but it’s needed at this point. Thank you 🧡

@mrtltfc: Made my feelings clear on the pod that it was time a while ago. However, can not question his commitment to the players and the way he handled the two incidents with Tom tells you everything you need to know about him as a person. Best of luck Rob

@JoshBishun: Have to thank him for everything he’s done in the last 2 years. Shame the last couple of months haven’t gone exactly as anyone would’ve wished – Best of luck RE 🙌🏽

@KirmanWill: Eternally grateful for giving me the best day of my life and the ride of premier league football. No matter the results this season, a truly great bloke and a manager that will never be forgotten, all the best Rob 🧡

@Dale_Harris14: Edwards & Robins gone, 18 months after a playoff final head to head. Football is a fast paced, wild game. And you can be winning one day and gone the next.

@PaulSparks1964: With a heavy heart I would like to thank Rob Edwards for everything he achieved for my club in his first season and a half. A Wembley final and so much of the Prem season, it was very special. With humility and decency a very nice guy who I wish health and happiness going forward

@GK1Lob: Thanks Rob for some amazing memories, including the very best moment in my time supporting the club. Will always respect how he carries himself 👏 Its sad that this day had to come & so soon but it was a decision that needed to be made, hopefully we can now move forward again 👒

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