Rob Edwards has left his job as Luton’s manager by mutual consent with the club in danger of relegation to League One after four straight defeats.

Edwards led Luton to the Premier League in 2023 but they came down after one season and are only two points above the bottom three in their battle to avoid a second straight relegation.

Luton’s chief executive, Gary Sweet, said: “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 [against Watford] at Kenilworth Road, the playoff 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.”

Edwards took charge in November 2022 after an 11-game spell at Watford and led Luton into the top flight for the first time since 1992. The club noted in their announcement of his exit that he had led with “compassion and dignity” after the captain, Tom Lockyer, collapsed at Bournemouth after a cardiac arrest.

Luton’s relegation from the Premier League came as little surprise but their struggles have more unexpectedly continued. Glimmers of hope such as consecutive wins in September, a 3-0 victory against Watford in October and more recent wins against Stoke and Derby failed to spark a meaningful upturn.

On Saturday Luton play in the FA Cup at Nottingham Forest, who are third in the Premier League after finishing one place above Luton last season.