FAMILY MATTER
Jones out to please in-laws
NATHAN JONES says his first crack at Premier League management will be a family affair.
The former Luton boss, who guided the Hatters to the Championship play-offs last season, has been handed the task of dragging Southampton out of the drop zone after Ralph Hasenhuttl was axed on Monday.
And he revealed he has an extra incentive to revive Saints’ fortunes, given plenty of the in-laws will be taking a keen interest.
“I’m really proud to be given this opportunity,” said Jones.
“I know a lot about the club, from back in the days of
The Dell to coming here to St Mary’s, and it’s a wonderful football club.
“A lot of my family are Southampton fans, which doesn’t half help, and I feel really, really proud to be given the opportunity. I’m really looking forward to getting started.”
The Welshman faces a baptism of fire with Southampton taking on Liverpool at Anfield in his first game in charge tomorrow.
But he needs to hit the ground running after Sunday’s 4-1 home defeat to Newcastle left them in the bottom three, with just one win in their last nine league games under Hasenhuttl (inset).
Saints fans will be crossing their fingers the club has made an inspired choice by turning to a manager who has no Premier League experience.
Jones has had two spells in charge of Luton, winning promotion from League Two before becoming Stoke boss in 2019.
He returned to Kenilworth Road 18 months later and guided them to a sixth-placed finish in the Championship last season before they lost to Huddersfield in the play-off semi-finals.
“Obviously, I wanted to manage in the Premier League, I’ve dreamt of that since I’ve become a coach or a manager,” added Jones.
“But this club in particular – because of how it’s run, because of the structure, because of how they look deeper than just results – really appeals to me.”
Stephen Robinson, Neil Critchley and Mark Bonner are on Luton’s wish list to replace Jones.
Gary Sweet, chief executive of Luton, thanked Jones, saying: “He has given us some fantastic memories.”