We check out the first words from Luke Williams as he becomes new Peterborough United manager, as replacement for Darren Ferguson.
The Posh, who currently sit bottom of League One, with 10 points from 13 games played, have appointed Luke Williams on a contract until June 2028, with Ryan Harley as his assistant, as the pair reunite after successful spells at Notts County and Swansea City.
Chairman Darragh MacAnthony hailed the move as the start of a “new era” focused on exciting attacking football, player development, and long-term club identity, having long admired Williams’ coaching reputation.
Williams expressed excitement at the fit with the club, promising possession-based play combined with aggressive defending, ahead of his first training session on Thursday and a home FA Cup tie against Cardiff City on Saturday.
✍️ We are delighted to announce the appointment of Luke Williams as our new Manager.
Luke and his assistant Ryan Harley have penned contracts until June 2028.
Read more here ⬇️#pufc
— Peterborough United (@theposh) October 29, 2025
CLUB STATEMENT:
Peterborough United are delighted to announce the appointment of Luke Williams as the Football Club’s new manager.
Williams, who was most recently with Swansea City in the Championship, will be assisted by Ryan Harley, with the pair working together in South Wales and also at Notts County.
The pair have signed contracts until June 2028 and will meet the players for the first time on Thursday. Posh face Cardiff City in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup at the Weston Homes Stadium on Saturday (3pm).
Chairman Darragh MacAnthony said: “This is the start of a new era for the football club, and I am delighted Luke has agreed to be our new manager.
“Both he and Ryan have shown over the last few years at both Notts County and Swansea the type of coaches they are and the style of football they like to play.
“When Darren Ferguson came back and was originally only staying until the end of that season, Luke was number one on my list of Managers and we spent a lot of time watching his then Notts County team and he himself over a period of games.
“I was very aware of Luke and his reputation as a player’s coach going all the way back to when he was coaching at Swindon then MK Dons and Swansea under Russell Martin before becoming an incredibly successful manager.
“His work ethic, desire to improve players and his vision of how football should be played is something that has left an impression on me for years now.
“This appointment isn’t about what league we are in or recent poor results but about creating an identity for our club for years to come.
“Our Club has an incredible Academy, talented young players in our first team squad and the goal is always the same; play exciting attacking football, develop our young talent, recruit and then develop the gems others miss, compete with the ‘big boys’, win promotions/trophies and become financially sustainable and a well-run football club that our fans feel constant pride in supporting, whilst enjoying what they pay to watch every Matchday.
“Let the ‘New Era’ begin and welcome to the Posh Luke and Ryan!”
Luke Williams talks taking a job as a customer care assistant at Bristol Airport
Williams said: “I am very excited and really looking forward to working with the players. When I spoke to the chairman and to Barry as well, it really feels a good fit for us all.
“I had really good conversations with Darragh, it made me feel enthused and an opportunity that I couldn’t afford to miss.
“From those very first conversations we had, it felt we were very much on the same page.
“My teams have often had a lot of the ball and scored a lot of goals, but there is probably some perception out there that the team won’t be aggressive defensively, but that is not a fair one for the teams that I have had. Hopefully we can combine all of those things and let’s see how we go.”
Here’s how fans reacted on the first words from Luke Williams as he becomes new Peterborough United manager…
@lollujo: We’re getting dangerously close to appointing a manager younger than me for the first time. And I’m not ready for that.
@pufcalfie:
Lukey Williams
He’ll bring the glory days again
We’ll back him from the Moyesy end
He’ll turn the posh around
@TobyHarding17: BOSHHHHHH . Welcome the EFL Guardiola 😍😍😍😍
@DavePufc:
Best kept secret this one 👏
Good luck Luke and Welcome to London Road 👍
@dazposhie: Welcome Luke let’s get this going and moving us forward looking forward to the intensity back at our club #pufc
@RippleXRPREP: Welcome Gaffer, time to save the fucking titanic
@KieranR69616476:
Alexa! Play Stardust…
“Luke baby,
I feel like,
The Football sounds better with youuuu!”
#pufc
@ShiellB1: Play offs here we come!
@Kenneth_Brown23: A manager I have admired for a while, and one I have high hopes for. And luckily we couldn’t get much worse so the only way is up! Onwards and upwards! #pufc #utp
@PeterScholes55: Not gunna pretend I know much about him apart from he got Notts county back into the EFL, will let the results do the talking
@_dylinho_: HMS Piss The League is up and running #pufc
@3TeamTonyBez: Guys a miracle worker if he can keep us up
@JoeLiardet: The most Peterborough appointment ever
@ffsTeekay: Given the options, I’m happy with him, question is: will he survive working with the man upstairs long term? Only time will tell… Welcome to PE2, Luke Williams! 💙🤍
@Kyle_Irving20: Hopefully the beginning of a successful era under Williams. First big job is keeping this shite squad in L1 before ripping it apart next summer #pufc
What a beautiful human 😍😍 Welcome to @theposh King Williams https://t.co/uFcW6jeAnA pic.twitter.com/TbkgmSdDJz
— Adam Jackson (@PoshDrummerAdam) October 29, 2025
#pufc https://t.co/b6DY0XGcI2 pic.twitter.com/sKZZ8LiuaD
— Kieran (@KieranR69616476) October 29, 2025
