Who is Nathan Jones, is he the new Stoke City manager, and what clubs has he played for?
Stoke have found their new manager as the former Luton boss makes the switch to the bet365 Stadium
STOKE CITY have found their new manager after dismissing Gary Rowett.
The former Derby boss was given his marching order after just eight months - and is replaced by former Luton manager Nathan Jones.
Who is Nathan Jones?
BORN in Ystrad, the Welshman enjoyed a professional career that lasted over 20 years.
A versatile left-back who could also be employed in midfield, Jones' career began at Merthyr Tydfil in 1991 before stints abroad with Numancia and Badajoz.
It wasn't until 1997 that he properly got his break in the English leagues, where he impressed for Southend and played over 100 times for Brighton and then Yeovil.
He hung up his boots in 2012 after seven years with the Glovers and headed into coaching, first with Charlton's development squad and then Brighton.
But his first management position was with Luton Town, who who guided away from League Two danger during his first season with the club in 2016.
Since then he's enjoyed huge success with his attacking style at Kenilworth Road, guiding the Hatters to promotion from League Two last season and into the League One promotion places this term.
Is he the new Stoke manager?
JONES has completed his switch to the bet365 Stadium after three years with Luton.
Stoke dismissed Gary Rowett after a disastrous tenure, with the side sitting 14th in the Championship despite big investment over the summer.
And Jones has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract at Stoke, leaving Luton second in League One.
In a statement, he said: "This is not a job for me, this is a lifestyle. The fans will see that.
"We will put a side out there that the club will be proud of. We will be hard working, talented side that will play in a certain way which we will work religiously on.
"Along the way there will be some ups and downs, hopefully plenty of ups. But when we get our philosophy implemented and get working with the players, I'm sure they're going to respond."
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What clubs has he played for?
JONES played both abroad and at home during his 21-year pro career.
Here's the sides he appeared for in that time:
- 1991-95: Merthyr Tydfil
- 1995-96: Luton Town
- 1996: Numancia
- 1996-97: Badajoz
- 1997-2000: Southend United
- 2000-2005: Brighton
- 2005-2012: Yeovil Town