Nathan Jones makes Stoke City point as he becomes wanted man again
Nathan Jones has been rebuilding his reputation by guiding Charlton Athletic into the League One play-offs
Nathan Jones insists he is committed to Charlton Athletic for the long-term after learning from the two times he left Luton Town.
Jones has transformed fortunes at Charlton, who are in the League One play-offs now after finishing 16th last season and had three other largely miserable seasons down at that level since relegation from the Championship. They take on Wycombe Wanderers in the semi-final first leg on Sunday.
It has led to talk that Jones could be on the wanted list in the Championship, where there is a flood of vacancies at the moment, but he is adamant he won’t repeat the mistake he made when he left Luton – where he worked wonders in two spells – first for Stoke City and then again for Southampton.
“It’s nice to be thinking like that – because after the Leyton Orient game (a 2-0 loss in the EFL Trophy on December 10) I think a lot of people were thinking I’d be out in a different way,” Jones, who won 19 and drew four of 27 games since mid-December, told the South London Press.
“For me to be just over a year into the project here, I’m very proud of the progress this football club has made. I want to continue that. I wasn’t quick in jumping from Luton because I had a number of opportunities and took two projects I felt were right at the time. But I’ve learned from those. I’m extremely happy here.
“We make sane decisions. I have an excellent squad and I have the autonomy when I do my job. I love where I live. So I have no desire to leave this football club. I want to be here. I want to build something and I do believe – with pure conviction – we can achieve our goal on a medium term.
“I’m proud to be the manager, because it is a wonderful football club. We’ve had to come through a lot. I’m extremely happy in every aspect of my life and career here. I don’t think anything adverse would happen.”
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