Luton Town have confirmed that manager Rob Edwards has left by mutual agreement.

The 42-year-old leaves Kenilworth Road after 2 years and 2 months in charge, in which time he took Luton Town to the Premier League but leaves after a run of 4 defeats in a row that has put the Hatters just above the Championship’s relegation zone.

Luton have confirmed that Paul Trollope and Richie Kyle, aided by Mick Harford, will take charge of their meeting with Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup this weekend while the quest to find a permanent replacement continues.

Edwards took over at Luton in November 2022 as a replacement for Nathan Jones, who left the club for a brief and ill-fated stint managing Southampton. In his first part, he took Luton from 10th position in the Championship during the 2022 World Cup break to finish third, before winning in the play-offs to take Luton to the top flight of English football for the first time since the 1991/92 season.

In the Premier League, Luton earned acclaim for their battling football but were unable to stay up, as the Hatters went on a run of just one win from their last 17 Premier League fixtures, ultimately finishing six points behind Forest.

The Hatters have hit further difficulties in the Championship, with the side from Bedfordshire in 20th position after 26 games of the season, having lost 10 straight away games and their last four overall. They currently sit just two points above the relegation zone.

Luton Town CEO Gary Sweet praised Edwards for his impact at the club despite coming to the decision the club have had to change manager.

He 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.

“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.”