Luton already planning 'squad reshape' - chairman

Luton Town will return to League One next season for the first time since 2019

Luton Town chairman David Wilkinson has promised that "no stone will go unturned" to set the club back on an upwards path following relegation in two successive seasons.

After winning promotion to the Premier League in 2023, The Hatters will start the 2025-26 campaign back in League One after Saturday's 5-3 defeat at West Brom confirmed their relegation from the Championship.

In a statement on the club website, Wilkinson said he wanted to express the board's "collective frustration, anger and disappointment" at how the season ended.

But there appears to be no threat to the position of head coach Matt Bloomfield, who was only appointed in January following Rob Edwards' mid-season departure from Kenilworth Road.

"Lengthy discussions have already taken place with Matt and his staff regarding next season designed to reshape our squad into a proper Luton team we can all be proud to watch next season," said Wilkinson.

Luton won only 13 of their 46 games but went down on goal difference only, when a draw would have been enough to relegate Hull City instead.

"We have all seen the ups and downs, and as bad as Saturday seems right now, there have been darker days, from which we fought back and went on to make history," said Wilkinson.

"We are all accountable and recognise that errors have been made off the pitch, just as they have been on it, to contribute to that end result. We are all so truly sorry the season has finished as it has.

"The in-depth analysis started before relegation was confirmed, as individuals and as a club, as we set about working harder and more effectively to build on the run of form that, before Saturday's defeat, had put us in with such a chance of survival.

"All we can promise, at this moment, is that we will review, regroup and rebuild. Indeed, this has started. We must recover the spirit that was so familiar to us on our rise, and we will use this now as a catalyst for a renewed determination and focus to achieve one objective."

Luton players have also issued apologies to supporters.

Goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski posted on X that relegation "hurts a lot".

He said: "I'm truly sorry from the bottom of my heart. This wasn't what any of us wanted, or what this club or its people deserved.

"Thank you deeply to all the fans for never leaving us aside, not even for a moment."

Defender Kal Naismith, who returned to the club on loan in January, having previously been part of the Luton squad which reached the Championship play-off semi-finals in 2022, said he was "absolutely devastated".

His loan from Bristol City has now ended but he said on X: "I'm so grateful I got to play for this special club again.... Stick together and come back stronger, it's the only way."