Luton Town manager Nathan Jones has played down speculation suggesting he could replace new Chelsea boss Graham Potter at Premier League high-flyers Brighton and Hove Albion, speaking to Luton Today.
Talk about big boots to fill.
Is there a single manager in the whole of England’s top-flight who has transformed a team quite so significantly and dramatically as Potter at Brighton? From a physical, defence-first team under Chris Hughton to one of the most free-flowing footballing sides in the division; one capable of going toe-to-toe with the very best the Premier League has to offer and very often outplaying them.
Whoever takes Potter’s place on the Amex bench will certainly have a lot to live up to.
Per The Athletic, Jones, Steve Cooper of Nottingham Forest and Bodo/Glimt coach Kjetil Knutsen are three of the names under consideration by a Brighton side sitting just two points off the top following their 5-2 thumping of Leicester City last time out.
But Jones was in no mood to fan the flames when quizzed about the suddenly vacant Brighton job at his Friday press conference.
Who will replace new Chelsea boss Graham Potter at Brighton?
“That’s pie in the sky. I’ve got a really good job here that I love,” says the 49-year-old Welshman.
“I wish Graham all the best. For him to leave Brighton, I know that would have been a big wrench for him because he has a good relationship there. But when Chelsea comes calling, it’s a wonderful thing.
“So I understand a decision like that. But that’s got nothing to do with me really.
“I know Brighton will have their candidates lined up as they’re a very, very, very well-run football club. The owners and Paul Barber (chief executive), people like that, do a wonderful job there.
“So I know they’ll have their options and will do what they need to do.”
Jones guided an unfancied Luton side into the play-offs last term, and also had spells as a player and as a coach at Brighton. He worked alongside Oscar Garcia, Sami Hyypia and Hughton on the South Coast.
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