Sporting Lagos director set to take charge at West Brom

Nigeria National League club, Sporting Lagos could be set to lose their sporting director Luke Dowling to West Bromwich Albion, Afrik-Foot reports.

Appointed last year to advance the Sporting Lagos project, Downing could soon return to English football where a role at West Brom awaits, according to Express and Star.

The Championship club are understood to be finalising plans to fill the role following the recent departure of Andrew Nestor, who combined responsibilities as president and sporting director. Albion have been keen to separate football operations from ownership influence once again, a structure they previously used during one of their most successful recent periods.

Among the leading candidates is Luke Dowling, a familiar name to supporters after his earlier spell at the club. Dowling previously oversaw recruitment strategy during Albion’s promotion back to the Premier League, working behind the scenes on squad building and long-term planning.

His first stint ended following relegation in 2021, amid internal disagreements about managerial direction.

Since then, he has remained active in football consultancy roles, but his most unexpected move came last year when he accepted a position in Nigeria.

From Seun Akanji’s playbook ✍️ #SLFC #NNL26 pic.twitter.com/fGUgbkCVxy

— Sporting Lagos (@SportingLagos) February 19, 2026

Sporting Lagos experience shaping potential West Brom return

In November, Dowling joined Sporting Lagos as a strategic partner, stepping into a project widely viewed as one of the most modern football initiatives in West Africa.

The club, founded in 2022 by entrepreneur Shola Akinlade, aims to combine technology, data analysis and youth development to reshape club management standards in Nigerian football.

Explaining his decision at the time, Dowling said: “It comes down to the ambition of the project. Shola Akinlade, the owner, reached out and laid out his vision, and frankly, it was compelling.

“He’s not just looking to run a football club; he wants to change the landscape of how a club operates in Nigeria. When you meet someone with that level of drive and a clear plan to reach those heights, it’s easy to get on board.”

No official West Brom confirmation has yet been made, but sources suggest an announcement could arrive soon.