St Mirren could face a fight to keep boss Stephen Robinson after he was named as an early frontrunner for the Luton Town job, with a Celtic icon also in the mix.
Rob Edwards was sacked by the Championship strugglers after a tough start to life back in the second tier following their relegation from Premier League last season, with Edwards leaving his position after just over two years in the role. In an emotional statement, Luton CEO Gary Sweet said: “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.”
But he added: “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,” potentially opening the door for an emotional return for St Mirren boss Robinson to the team have made more than 200 appearance for.
The Saints gaffer, who is fifth favourite according to the bookies, guided the Buddies to European football last season and they are on track for another top six finish – but he’s a hero at Kenilworth Road after clocking up more than 200 games for the club, and that could tempt him to have a second crack at management in England, having previously taken charge of Morecambe.
However he is behind for Celticboss Neil Lennon – who was most recently in charge of Rapid Bucharest with the bookies. Lennon’s time in Romania was brief as he lasted just three months in the role, drawing five of his six games in charge and losing one. Since leaving Parkhead for a second time as boss in February 2021 he has also been in charge at Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia – and the Hatters role would represent a first route back into English football since an 18 month spell with Bolton Wanderers almost a decade ago.
As a manager at Celtic he guided the Hoops to five Scottish Premiership titles, four Scottish Cups and a League Cup and also won the Championship title whilst manager of Hibs. Odds compiled by Gambling.com have Wycombe Wanderers boss Matt Bloomfield as the early frontrunner at 2/1, followed by former Norwich City gaffer David Wagner – who had been linked with the Celtic job back in 2019 after Brendan Rodgers had quit for Leicester City at 9/4 and then Lennon at 5/2 with Robinson 4/1 fifth favourite.
Another shock name on the list is former Man United star Wayne Rooney, who was sacked by Plymouth Argyle earlier this month. The 120 time capped England hero won just five of his 20 games in charge on the south coast, mirroring an unsuccessful spell in charge of Birmingham City last season. But his profile could still be attractive to the Hatters, with odds of 10/1 on offer.
Next Luton Town manager odds:
- Matt Bloomfield – 2/1
- David Wagner – 9/4
- Neil Lennon – 5/2
- Gary O’Neil – 3/1
- Stephen Robinson – 4/1
- Steve Cooper – 9/2
- Ryan Lowe – 5/1
- Steven Schumacher – 7/1
- Rob Page – 8/1
- Wayne Rooney – 10/1