Callum McManaman feels he’s already built a rapport with manager Nathan Jones after the departure of former boss Graeme Jones, who was a major reason why the winger joined the Hatters.
The midfielder came off the bench to score a late leveller against Preston on Saturday in Town’s first game for three months and the first outings since Town parted ways with their former boss.
The pair had been part of the Wigan Athletic team that shocked Manchester City to win the FA Cup in 2013. McManaman won man of the match that day, while Graeme Jones was the assistant to Latics boss Roberto Martinez.
The coach turned manager for the first time in the summer, taking over from Mick Harford, who had led Luton, on a temporary basis, to the League One title.
Town made the former Belgium number two their number one target and he brought McManaman to the club on a free transfer from former club Wigan, as one of his first signings.
But football was suspended in March after the Coronavirus pandemic struck and, having to cut their cloth accordingly, the Hatters parted ways with the manager, replacing him with his predecessor, Nathan Jones, 16 months after he left Luton to sign for Stoke.
McManaman said: “I was disappointed Graeme left, but the new gaffer has been brilliant with me.
“He’s given me a chance from the off. I think he likes the way I play and he’s already spoken to me about being aggressive and putting my foot in.
“He likes the way I’m sharp, so you never know. We’ve been getting on well and hopefully I can get in the team, start a few games and get a run.”
McManaman’s strike was his fourth for the club and third time he’s made a late impact of the bench to earn vital points, five in total.
“I’ve been training well, and the gaffer’s been impressed with me,” said the Liverpudlian, adding: “I’ve spoken to him a little bit and I’ve been feeling confident and sharp. I was quietly confident I was going to do something when I came on.
“As time went on, I was thinking, ‘I might not even get the ball here’ because it was up and down and the game was kind of dead, wasn’t it? I’m just thankful that I got the shot off.
“We wanted the three points, before the game, but we were poor in parts, so we’ll take that. Preston will be disappointed they haven’t won the game, so I feel like it is a positive point.
“It is the first game and we can play better than that, we know we can. I feel like we’ll take that and move on. We’ll get fitter, stronger and more confident for it.”
