Luton Town have confirmed that they have granted Southampton permission to speak with Nathan Jones about the vacant managerial position at St Mary's.
The Saints are on the lookout for a new manager after announcing that they have parted company with Ralph Hasenhuttl on Monday morning.
Jones has emerged as the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Hasenhuttl on the South Coast, and The Athletic reports that the 49-year-old is one of several managerial options Southampton are considering.
Luton are scheduled to travel to Stoke City in the Championship on Wednesday night, and the Hatters have hinted that the Welshman is set to remain in charge for that fixture.
A club statement on their official website read: "Luton Town Football Club can confirm that permission has been granted to Southampton to speak to Nathan Jones about their managerial vacancy following the Hatters' match at Stoke City.
Luton Town Football Club can confirm that permission has been granted to Southampton to speak to Nathan Jones about their managerial vacancy following the Hatters' match at Stoke City.
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) November 7, 2022
"We would like to place on record that the Premier League club have approached the board in the correct manner, for which we are grateful, and that the whole situation is extremely amicable with Southampton and with Nathan.
"We would also like to urge all supporters travelling to Stoke to show him and the team your support on what we hope will be yet another memorable away day.
"As a club we will not be making any further comment until the process is complete."
Jones, who is currently experiencing his second spell in charge of Luton, was named the Championship Manager of the Year last season after guiding the Hatters into the playoffs with a sixth place finish, before losing to Huddersfield Town in the semi-finals.
Luton have since made a promising start to the 2022-23 campaign and the currently sit eighth in the second-tier standings after 19 matches, just two points behind the playoff positions.
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Jones has been identified as one of the leading candidates to replace Hasenhuttl at Southampton, who have slipped into the Premier League relegation zone following a 4-1 home defeat against Newcastle United on Sunday.
Hasenhuttl won only one of his last nine top-flight games with the Saints and leaves the club after nearly four years in charge on the South Coast.
A club statement read: "Hasenhuttl, who was appointed in December 2018, departs having made a significant contribution to the club, overseeing some memorable results and also playing a key role in the development of our club infrastructure, identity and playing squad. However, we now believe it is an appropriate time to make a change.
"Everyone involved with the club would like to express their sincere thanks to Ralph for all of his efforts, as well as the unwavering commitment he has shown throughout his time as manager."
Southampton have confirmed that assistant coach Richard Kitzbichler has also left the club, and first-team coach Ruben Selles will take charge for Wednesday's EFL Cup third-round tie at home against League One side Sheffield Wednesday.
Oliver Thomas
