Luton announce Blackwell (Update)

Luton have announced that Kevin Blackwell, 48, will take the reins as manager, in their press conference at 4 pm this afternoon.

Luton born Blackwell who was sacked from Leeds United earlier in the season, has taken today's training session.

He joins on a four year contract.

Many Leeds fans have said that they could not fault him as a manager and that they wish he was still at Elland Road instead of the little person who currently has the job!

Blackwell said:

"I'm not daunted by the size of the challenge. I can only do my best and give it a go.

"I've come here for the long term. There's a vision at this football club that excites me and it's something I'm looking forward to. There are things happening at Luton that could turn the club into a major player again and I want to be a part of that."

After taking this morning's training session he said: "The lads were good and there's no lack of spirit."

Blackwell watched the reserves play Southend this afternoon before attending the press conference.

Since his sacking by Leeds he has been learning new coaching techniques abroad, working at Real Madrid and Inter Milan, and has recently returned from a trip to Brazil.

Blackwell had worked with Neil Warnock at Sheffield United, after following him through several clubs, Notts County, Torquay, Huddersfield, Plymouth, and Bury, following their initial link up at Scarborough in 1986.

He will need to be a miracle worker to keep the Hatters in the Championship, but he is a well qualified coach and had a good record as manager at Leeds before falling from grace.

If Luton are relegated, he will be keen to take Laegue 1 by storm and get the Town back in the Championship at the first attempt.

No further changes of managerial staff were announced, so it appears that he will work with Brian Stein and Marvin Johnson, at least until the summer.

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