Southampton announce Nathan Jones as their new boss on three-and-a-half-year deal

Southampton have confirmed Nathan Jones as their new manager on a three and a half year contract.

Jones’ reputation was dented during his time at Stoke City, but he has received a lot of praise since his return to Luton Town, leading to this opportunity at St Mary’s.

Chris Cohen and Alan Sheehan will join him on the south coast as first-team coaches, with Southampton wasting little time to replace the delisted Ralph Hasenhuttl.

“I’m really proud to have this opportunity,” Jones said.

“I know a lot about the club from The Dell’s time, until my visit to St Mary’s, and it’s a great football club.

“A lot of my family are Southampton fans, which doesn’t help, and I’m very, very proud to have the opportunity, and I’m really looking forward to getting started.

“Of course I wanted to manage it in the Premier League, that’s what I’ve dreamed about ever since I became a coach or manager, but this club in particular – because of the way it’s run, because of the structure, because of the way they look deeper. than just results – really appeals to me.’

Jones, who sat in the stands on Wednesday to watch Southampton beat League One Sheffield Wednesday on penalties in the Carabao Cup, was under contract with Luton until 2027.

As a result, Southampton has come to a compensation deal that Luton has described as ‘acceptable’, believed to be £3million initially.

The loss of Jones is a real blow to Luton as they look good again this season to go for the championship play-offs.

He leaves them ninth in the table after 20 games.

In his own statement, Luton CEO Gary Sweet wrote: “Nathan leaves a fantastic legacy along with Alan and Chris, both of whom have also been instrumental in taking us on a League Two journey, in the case of Alan, to establishing us in the higher echelons of the championship. We also thank them and wish them every success.

“The fact that we are looking up to the Premier League, rather than down to League One like we were when we brought Nathan back to the club, makes the job at Luton Town attractive.

“This is a real opportunity to refresh our ongoing progress, and we treat this process exactly the same as we do when recruiting players.

“A executive recruiting group has been set up and has been meeting every day since we were first contacted by Southampton as we search thoroughly for his successor, and we are well on the way to that painstakingly detailed process.”

Mick Harford, the club’s chief recruiter, is the interim manager for the weekend’s game against Rotherham United.