We are delighted to announce that Paul Hart will be Luton Town’s new Academy Director, making the switch from first-team coach to fill the vacancy created by Andy Awford’s departure last week.
The vastly-experienced former Chesterfield, Nottingham Forest, Portsmouth and QPR manager has previously led the youth set-up at clubs including Leeds United, Forest and Charlton Athletic, where he gave Nathan Jones his chance as Under-21 coach a decade ago.
Having already been at Kenilworth Road for most of Nathan’s two spells as manager, arriving initially as his assistant in May 2016, Paul is already familiar with the players and staff currently in the Town Academy.
The 68-year-old spoke to staff at The Brache on Monday and will meet players and their parents as the week progresses, as he returns to a role that has seen him develop some of the country’s top young talent at previous clubs, including future England internationals Jonathan Woodgate, Jermaine Jenas and Joe Gomez.
Hatters CEO Gary Sweet said: “Paul is a logical choice to replace Andy as head of our academy. He is already in the building, having been a huge part of our rise up the Football League since he first came in at the end of the 2015-16 season, and has acted as a wonderful mentor to Nathan throughout his coaching career.
“We believe he can be the same to so many other of our young coaches and players within our system. He has played and managed at the top level, and you only have to look at the careers that some of his former proteges have gone on to have to know that his experience and knowledge will only be beneficial to developing our stars of the future.”