Matt Bloomfield has been named the new manager of Luton Town on a three-and-a-half-year deal, following Rob Edwards' agreement to leave the role last week. The 40-year-old takes the reins at Kenilworth Road, moving from League One side Wycombe, with dreams of escape from the Championship's danger zone.

As he prepares for his first match in charge against Preston this Saturday, Bloomfield brings along assistant Richard Thomas, first-team coach Lee Harrison, and analyst Ben Cirne. After amassing over 500 caps for the Chairboys, Bloomfield circled back to Adams Park to manage in 2023 after a period leading Colchester.

With the Hatters sitting precariously in 20th place, just two points shy of relegation territory, Bloomfield spoke to the Luton website expressing immense pride: "It’s a genuine honour and a privilege to be here, to be appointed as manager of this incredible club. " He continued, "I’m really, really proud. It’s been a busy few days, a very busy weekend but I’ve met the recruitment team, met Gary (Sweet) and spent some time with the board."

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He noted the passion of the club officials, saying: "The fact that they’re all Luton supporters and that they care so much about their football club shone through, and the fact that they had a real big desire for me to join our football club also shone through, so I’m incredibly proud and very, very happy to be here."

Bloomfield emphasized the importance of feeling valued: "That made me feel very comfortable and very wanted, which is huge for me. I want to work with people who care and fans who also care – and they certainly do here."

Manager Bloomfield shared his enthusiasm for the new challenge: "I want to work with people who want the best for their football club, and that’s more than evident with Gary, the chairman and the board of directors."

He went on to describe the persuasive pull of the new club saying: "That feeling that they gave me and the feeling of being wanted, how much research they’ve done into me and the football team that we’ve produced at Colchester and Wycombe, and the knowledge base of what I stand for, who I am and what we’ve tried to produce in our football team left me in no uncertain times that this was the right move at the right time."

Departing Wycombe with the team in a strong position, second in the League One table just two points behind Birmingham, Bloomfield's move comes at a pivotal moment. Wycombe have confirmed they are set to begin their hunt for a new manager, expressing both disappointment and understanding, "The club is naturally disappointed with Matt’s decision to leave in the middle of the season," conveyed through a statement released by Wycombe.

Despite the timing, the club displayed a supportive tone: "However, we respect his decision to pursue this new chapter in his career. He leaves with the gratitude and best wishes of everyone at Wycombe Wanderers, and we thank him for his service to the club."

As the search for a successor begins: "The board will now begin the process of identifying and appointing a new manager to lead the team forward. " In the interim period, Sam Grace, Harry Hudson, Matty Dye and Jerome John will take the reins overseeing training sessions and managing upcoming matches.

Table-topping Leeds United are pencilled in to face the Hatters at Kenilworth Road on Saturday, April 5. The Whites cruised to a 3-0 win in the reverse fixture.