Nathan Jones: Charlton Athletic appoint former Southampton and Luton manager

Nathan Jones won one out of eight league games in a three-month stint at Southampton

League One strugglers Charlton Athletic have appointed former Southampton and Luton Town boss Nathan Jones as their manager on a "long-term contract".

Jones, 50, has been out of work since being sacked by Saints in February 2023 after just 95 days in charge.

The Addicks dismissed Michael Appleton last month after a 12-match winless run.

That run has now extended to 14 games, leaving them just three points above the relegation zone.

Welshman Jones took Luton to the Championship play-off semi-finals in the 2021-22 season, where they lost to Huddersfield.

He was then appointed to replace Ralph Hasenhuttl as manager of the then Premier League Saints in November 2022 but was sacked after three months, with one win in eight league games leaving the club bottom of the league.

"He is a manager of real pedigree who has a track record of building successful teams over a period of time," James Rodwell, chairman of the Charlton board, said.

"He is a great fit for Charlton given his ability to get his teams playing football on the front foot, with a passion and an intensity.

"He is an excellent coach, who is tactically savvy and an outstanding developer of talent."

'I have fond memories'

Jones spent a season at The Valley in 2012-13 as Charlton's under-21s lead coach before becoming assistant head coach at Brighton.

"It is a club that I have fond memories of from my time here and I want to play my part in moving the club forward," he said.

"I have been approached by a number of clubs to get back into management but I have been waiting for the right opportunity.

"From my conversations with the board and given the long-term nature of the contract, I can see there is a real appetite to build something here which I am really looking forward to being a part of."

Jones' first game in charge will be on Saturday at relegation-threatened Reading, who are two places and three points below Charlton.