Luton manager Rob Edwards leaves after poor run

Luton Town manager Rob Edwards has parted ways with the club after a series of four consecutive defeats in the Championship.

The 42-year-old was appointed in November 2022 and successfully led The Hatters to promotion to the Premier League in 2023, securing their return to the top flight for the first time in over 30 years with a penalty victory over Coventry City at Wembley.

Although he remained in charge following their relegation from the Premier League after just one season, a poor run of four straight losses has left Luton in 20th place in the Championship.

Monday’s 2-1 loss at Queens Park Rangers marked their 10th consecutive away defeat, and they are now only two places and two points above the relegation zone.

“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,” the former Wales international said in a statement on the club website.

“I’m 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.”

His assistants, Richie Kyle and Paul Trollope will be in charge of the team for Sunday’s FA Cup third-round tie at Nottingham Forest, along with club legend and former boss Mick Harford.

“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,” Edwards added.

Edwards, a former defender for Aston Villa, Wolves, and Blackpool, began his coaching career at AFC Telford. He also had a stint as the head coach of England’s under-16 team before leading Forest Green Rovers to promotion from League Two in May 2022.

This success earned him a move to Watford, but his time at Vicarage Road was short-lived, lasting only 11 matches before his contract was terminated, and the club brought in the more experienced Slaven Bilic.

After just two months, Edwards received a fresh opportunity when he was appointed as Luton’s manager following Nathan Jones’ departure to Southampton.

His tenure at Luton was marked by both setbacks and achievements, including relegation from the Premier League last season. During this period, captain Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest during a match against Bournemouth in December 2023.

Despite the challenges, Edwards signed a new four-year contract last summer and expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to compete for promotion once again.

Their season was affected by injuries, and after earning only one point from their first four games, they managed to secure back-to-back victories over Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday.

However, a heavy 5-1 defeat at Middlesbrough on November 9 marked their worst loss since they were beaten by the same score in consecutive games against Manchester City and Brentford in April.

And Edwards – who won 32 of his 103 games in charge of Luton – subsequently admitted he had experienced self doubt as a result of their poor start to the campaign.

Asked about his position following the Middlesbrough game, he told BBC Three Counties Radio: “Whatever will be, will be, I’m not in control of that stuff. I love this football club, it’s been one hell of a ride and we’ve achieved things probably non-one thought was possible.

“If that is it, we can hold our heads high, we’ve given everything – if it’s not, then we continue to fight. The football club always comes first. I’m a big man and know how the game works. I’ve tried my best.”

The board decided to stand by Edwards and although The Hatters won three of their next seven games, a 1-0 loss at Bristol City on Boxing Day began the run of defeats which brought his tenure to an end.

“Rob has given us some of our greatest days to celebrate as Hatters,” chief executive Gary Sweet said.

“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.”

While plans for a new stadium at Power Court progress, things are not as positive on the pitch for Luton Town.

The absence of Tom Lockyer, who was recovering from an injury before suffering further damage to his ankle ligaments last month, compounded the defensive struggles at the start of the season. This issue was made worse by a series of additional defensive injuries.

Over the summer, the club signed several players, including former Cardiff centre-back Mark McGuinness, but much of the squad remained unchanged from the one that achieved promotion under Edwards two years ago.

Luton has conceded 44 goals in the Championship this season, with only bottom-ranked Plymouth having allowed more. In their promotion campaign during 2022-23, the team allowed an average of just 10.7 shots per game from opponents (excluding play-off fixtures), but that number has increased to 13.7 this season, indicating a drop in the effectiveness of their pressing game.

The team has also conceded 34 goals from open play so far, compared to just 24 during their last Championship campaign.

In attack, the team has struggled as well, scoring just 27 goals in 26 games, the fifth-lowest total in the division. Captain Carlton Morris scored 20 goals in 44 league appearances in 2022-23, averaging one goal every 2.2 games. This season, his rate has dropped to one goal every 3.2 games, with seven goals in 23 appearances.

Although striker Elijah Adebayo’s goal-scoring ratio is better than two seasons ago, at 5.2 compared to 6.0, he has only scored five times in 26 matches.

Luton’s average shots on target per game remains almost unchanged, at 3.7 compared to 3.8 in 2022-23, but their goals per game rate has fallen from 1.2 to 1.04.