Confirmed: Sheffield Wednesday Championship rivals make dramatic managerial appointment

Nathan Jones, who left Kenilworth Road in January 2019 after guiding them to the brink of back-to-back promotions, has returned to the club following the mutual departure of his namesake and former West Brom assistant Graeme Jones last month.

The reinstated Jones returns after a disappointing spell at Stoke City that saw the pre-season promotion favourites languish in the relegation spots for much of his time until his sacking in November.

Luton legend Mick Harford will stay on as the club’s assistant having filled in as interim boss following Graeme Jones’ departure, which was cited as because of financial reasons due uncertainty in the ongoing coronavirus suspension.

Jones finds the side second-bottom of the Championship, six points shy of safety with nine matches left to play. The Hatters have already played Sheffield Wednesday twice this season – the most recent clash coming in a midweek 1-0 win over the Owls at Kenilworth Road in February.

While at Stoke Jones drew criticism for describing Wednesday’s style of play as ‘very basic’ after a 1-0 defeat at Hillsborough back in August.

Luton CEO Gary Sweet said in a statement: “My job is to make sure the club can escape the severe economic impact of the virus and whatever decisions we make now, it is the club that must be put first.

“We must do everything we possibly can to stay in the Championship this season. We have just nine games left to climb out of the relegation zone and the squad has to be more than ready.

“We need a manager who can hit the ground sprinting – someone who knows us, our players and our environment and someone who knows the league.

“There’s only one man who has those characteristics and that’s Nathan Jones. And there’s only one person who should be assisting him at this time – and that’s Mick Harford.”