The departure of Graeme Jones and three coaching staff was the ‘sensible thing’ to do to reduce costs as the Coronavirus crisis takes hold, Luton chief executive Gary Sweet has admitted.
In a move that surprised many, the Town boss became the first Football League managerial casualty of the global pandemic when he left the club by mutual consent last month, along with assistant boss Gary Brabin, first team coach Inigo Idiakez and technical goalkeeping coach Imanol Etzeberria.
It was a decision that would not have been made had football not been suspended.
Sweet said: “I’d like to thank Graeme and the other three lads as well for their efforts, it really is such a difficult time, if it wasn’t for the virus, would we be doing this right now? No, we wouldn’t, is the simple answer.
“What we are looking at is taking a very, very early view and a correct view on how we reduce our costs longer term and also treating this period of closure like a close season. Come the close season, we always take stock and take review of our situation anyway.
“I think what’s clear is football is changing and is going to change, it’s going to be a very different product when we do return. The market is going to have different dynamics to it, so we just felt predominantly, from a financial perspective and because this is our review period, that this is the sensible thing for us to do as a club at this time.”
With players yet to agree to a pay cut, and staff already furloughed, Sweet added of Jones’ departure: “(It was) easier than players, for sure, but it does save us money and we’re not limiting ourselves to players and coaching staff.
“We’re actually looking to every single member of the football club to contribute, no matter how much their salary is and, broadly, my theory is the more you earn, the more you’re willing to give. So those at the bottom, we’re really trying to protect, as much as anything else, and the higher earners will have to offer more.
“As far as contracts are concerned, at this time, there’s an awful lot more flexibility with our employees who are not footballers.”
Club legend and chief recruitment officer Mick Harford has been installed as temporary relationship manager between players, the board and staff, but he is likely to be in charge of the team if and when the Hatters return to action, having guided Town to the League One title a year ago.
Asked how has taken to the role, Sweet said: “He’s not happy! Mick just loves doing his job, but Mick will do anything – and he is. So, we’ll look after Mick as far as we can and he’ll do whatever job is requested of him. He loves the club.”
With no football action to deliberate over, the identity of Luton’s next manager has sparked some debate, with previous boss Nathan Jones at one time the favourite among bookmakers to return.
Asked if that was an option, Sweet said: “We’re not considering applications at the moment and I think that’s our position.
“We’re not taking any interviews, I’ve had quite a few applications, but I’m not reviewing any new applications, we’re not looking at that at all at the moment.
“I’ll be honest, if I had 14 days in a week and if I had 48 hours in a day, I’d still not be looking at those as there are things that are much more important for the business right now, which is actually about the club’s survival, I say that quite starkly, if the club doesn’t survive, what’s the point in having a manager?”