Nathan Jones says he’s a “bit calmer” than when he managed his first Luton game, but that his 300th match on Saturday will be tackled with the same “obsession” he’s always had.
His next task for his milestone against Sunderland on Saturday is to re-energise his players after a gut-wrenching 4-0 derby day defeat at Watford, with his squad still suffering the effects of a sickness bug that swept through the ranks on Sunday.
Jones admits that the up-and-down nature of football results means being a manager is a “tough existence” but a “wonderful job”.
Asked he still enjoys the task six years on, he said: “Yeah. I think I’m relatively different. I’m a bit calmer now than I was. I’m still obsessed with doing well and winning games for Luton, improving players and driving an environment.
“Enjoyment is a really difficult word because you don’t enjoy wins, you get relief. When you don’t win, it’s tough and you get sleepless nights.
“It’s a tough existence, not just for myself, but all those close to me as well. But it’s the most wonderful job. I loved being a player, I really did, but I have the same level of passion, drive for being a manager and coach.”
Now an established manager in the Championship, Jones’ Luton stewardship began in League Two and he said: “I’ve got to be honest with you, I was proud to reach 30, but to reach 300 is a fantastic achievement and I’m very proud of that at a wonderful club like this.
“When you set out as manager, you just hope you survive first and foremost. You want to impact but the way that the game is, it’s very difficult.
“To be surviving in the Championship now means, that you’re doing something right, but I’ve got a great group of players, staff and support staff all around me.
“To get to 300, you don’t do that on your own, so to get to 300 at one club is fantastic.
“I’ve managed I don’t know how many it is elsewhere at Brighton and Stoke, so it’s very good and, when I set out, it’s probably 299 more than I thought I would.”
Jones returned to Town in 2020 to engineer the Great Escape and preserve Town’s Championship status. Two years later, he is already the third longest-serving manager in the division.
“I’m not being arrogant in any way, but if you can last a season in the Championship, you’ve done something right because it’s ruthless,” said Jones, who had a controversial and ill-feted spell at Stoke between his two stints at Luton.
He added: “It’s obsessive in terms of everyone wants to get to the Premier League and not dropping out of it.
“There’s a ruthlessness in the Championship that isn’t in many leagues. I don’t know how many have lost their jobs or changed jobs this season so far, or since the end of last season, so it really is shark-infested waters out there.”
Congratulations Nathan! No mean feat that