The managerial merry-go-round at Luton Town continues to spin, with fresh twists and turns keeping Hatters fans and football observers alike on the edge of their seats. After a challenging start to the League One season, Luton Town parted ways with Matt Bloomfield, leaving the club in search of a new leader to steer them back toward their ambitions of promotion. The saga has become a daily drama, with bookmakers’ odds shifting and new names entering the fray, adding a layer of intrigue to an already tense situation at Kenilworth Road.
The departure of Matt Bloomfield was hardly a surprise for many. Appointed in January 2025 after a promising stint with Wycombe Wanderers, Bloomfield managed to steady the ship briefly, but the momentum soon faded. His tenure ended with a win rate of 36.4%, and the Hatters sat mid-table with 16 points from 11 matches—far from the pre-season expectations for a side tipped as promotion favourites. The final straw came after a 2-0 defeat to local rivals Stevenage, a result that underscored the club's ongoing struggles since their back-to-back relegations from the Premier League and the Championship.
With Bloomfield’s exit, attention turned swiftly to the bookmakers’ shortlist for his successor. Early on, the hot favourite was Jack Wilshere, the former Arsenal and England midfielder who had recently been overlooked for the Norwich City job in favour of Liam Manning. Wilshere, just 33, is still hunting for his first permanent managerial role and even turned down a return to Arsenal’s academy to keep his options open. Bookmakers Coral initially listed Wilshere as the odds-on favourite at 4-5, with heavy backing from punters expecting him to take up the challenge at Luton.
However, the winds of favour can change quickly in football. As the days passed, Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens began to emerge as a serious contender. By October 9, 2025, Wellens had overtaken Wilshere in the bookies’ rankings, with odds shortening to 5/6 at BetVictor, while Wilshere’s drifted to 3/1. Wellens, 45, brings a wealth of experience both on the pitch and in the dugout. His playing career included spells at Manchester United, Blackpool, Oldham Athletic, Doncaster Rovers, Leicester City, and several other clubs, culminating in a retirement in 2017.
Wellens’ managerial journey began at Oldham Athletic in 2017. He later guided Swindon Town to the 2019-20 League Two title on points per game during the COVID-19 pandemic—a feat that won him widespread plaudits. Brief stints at Salford City and Doncaster Rovers followed, but it was at Leyton Orient where Wellens truly made his mark. Appointed head coach in March 2022, he led the O’s to promotion back into League One and was awarded the EFL League Two Manager of the Month in August 2022. Despite a challenging start to the current season—Orient sits 18th in League One after three consecutive league defeats—they recently secured a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Crawley Town in the Vertu Trophy.
As the managerial race heats up, fan sentiment has played its own unpredictable role. An ongoing poll revealed a striking 81% opposition to Jack Wilshere’s potential appointment, suggesting that while his name carries weight, supporters are wary of entrusting the club’s future to a managerial novice. Others, perhaps seeking a more cost-effective solution, had hoped for internal candidate Alex Lawless, but his odds have lengthened following a disappointing defeat to Cambridge United. Meanwhile, a new name has surfaced—former Hatters player Graham Alexander—further complicating the picture and fueling speculation about the club’s next move.
The list of candidates doesn’t end there. Luke Williams, a former Swindon Town boss who earned plaudits for his attacking style at Notts County before a brief stint at Swansea City, has been out of work since the spring. His odds stand at 10/1, making him a dark horse in the race. Then there’s Russell Martin, recently sacked by Rangers after only 17 matches and a mere 123 days in charge—a tenure marked by just five wins and a particularly rough spell at Southampton before that. Despite his experience, Martin’s recent record may give Luton pause as they seek stability rather than more upheaval.
Reflecting on Luton Town’s recent history, the managerial hot seat has been anything but stable. Since their promotion from the National League, the club has cycled through a string of bosses—John Still, Nathan Jones (in two spells), Graeme Jones, Rob Edwards, and most recently Matt Bloomfield. The win rates have fluctuated, with Jones enjoying the highest at 51.2% in his first tenure, while others struggled to make a lasting impact. The expectation now is for a manager who can not only halt the slide but reignite the club’s push for a return to the Championship.
Bookmakers’ odds for the next Luton manager as of October 9, 2025, paint a picture of a closely contested race: Richie Wellens leads at 1/1, Wilshere follows at 3/1, with Williams and Martin trailing at 10/1 and 12/1 respectively. Lawless and Gary O’Neil are both listed at 14/1. The shifting odds reflect both the uncertainty and the high stakes involved in the decision—a choice that could define the club’s trajectory for years to come.
Meanwhile, the League One landscape is as competitive as ever. Luton Town, despite their recent setbacks, are still considered outside contenders for the title with odds of 15/2, trailing the likes of Cardiff City, Bolton Wanderers, Bradford City, and local rivals Stevenage. The pressure is on the club’s leadership to make a swift yet shrewd appointment, balancing the need for experience, tactical acumen, and the ability to galvanize a squad still reeling from consecutive relegations.
As the days tick by, speculation continues to mount. Will Luton take a gamble on a young, unproven manager like Wilshere, or will they opt for the seasoned hand of Wellens, whose recent achievements suggest he could be the steadying force the club desperately needs? Or could a surprise candidate emerge from the pack and seize the opportunity?
For now, the managerial saga rolls on, with fans, pundits, and players alike watching closely for the next twist. One thing’s for certain: the decision made in the coming days will have major implications for Luton Town’s hopes of climbing back up the football pyramid. The Hatters’ faithful can only wait, wonder, and hope that the right call is made to restore pride at Kenilworth Road.
