Rob Edwards leaves Luton amid fears of back-to-back relegations

The 42-year-old had been under huge pressure at Kenilworth Road amid fears the club could suffer shock back-to-back relegations.

Confirming the manager's departure, a statement read: "Luton Town Football Club can confirm that Rob Edwards has left his role as manager by mutual agreement."

It continued: "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.

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"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."

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.

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"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."

Luton earned rave reviews in the Premier League last season as a result of their attacking style of play, but they ultimately were unable to beat the drop.

Tipped as one of the favourites to secure promotion back to the top-flight, the Hatters are instead competing to stay in the second-tier.

In what has been a horror campaign so far, Luton currently sit in 20th spot following Monday night's 2-1 defeat away at QPR.

Four consecutive losses have left Luton just two points above the bottom three, with the prospect of League One football next term a very real possibility.

Speaking after the loss at Loftus Road, a dejected Edwards said: "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."

Edwards and Luton have now agreed to part ways - with official confirmation of his departure on Thursday afternoon.

The former Watford boss took over Luton in November 2022, where he guided them to unlikely promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.

It was the first time that Luton were back playing first-division football since 1992.

Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer reveals that not seeing manager Rob Edwards' face is what he misses the most about training

Luton's promotion also saw them become the first team to go from the top-tier to non-league and then back again.

In what has been a fairy tale story, Luton's current situation is turning into a nightmare.

No other club has lost more than the club's 15 in the Championship this term.

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Meanwhile, only Plymouth - rooted to the bottom of the table - have conceded more than Luton's 44 goals shipped in.

Attention for Luton will now turn towards finding a successor to Edwards as they prepare to face high-flying Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in the FA Cup on Saturday.