Sporting Lagos has set a new benchmark for club management in Nigeria, officially securing the services of elite Premier League strategist Luke Dowling.
This groundbreaking move is poised to fundamentally reshape how Nigerian talent is cultivated for the global stage.
Dowling arrives with a formidable pedigree as a club transformer, having served as Sporting Director for English heavyweights including West Bromwich Albion, Watford, and Nottingham Forest.
Renowned for his ability to “architect promotion” and construct high-value squads, Dowling masterminded West Brom’s return to the Premier League in 2019/20 and was instrumental in Watford’s sustained top-flight success.
By integrating his proven European recruitment methodologies directly into the club’s ecosystem, Sporting Lagos is solidifying its infrastructure to produce the best Nigerian football talents capable of thriving in top European leagues.
In this exclusive interview with The Guardian, Luke Dowling opens up about his first impressions of Africa, correcting misconceptions about the club’s age, and why he believes the next Victor Osimhen could be waiting in Lagos.
1) What informed your decision to take your scouting programme to Nigeria?
Answer: I think there’s a slight misconception. The club has actually only existed for three years, not six. That’s vital context because the level of organization here is incredible for such a young project. Regarding the trip, it’s not just a scouting mission. I’ve been working with the club for months, and this is about cementing that relationship by meeting the first team, assessing the academy personally, and ensuring our recruitment pathways are solid.
(2) How is it possible for an aspiring Nigerian (African) footballer to find a space in European football when there are thousands of other aspiring stars from across the world looking for the same opportunity?
Answer: Football is football. The game doesn’t care where you come from; it cares about what you can do on the pitch. Talent will always shine. Yes, it’s competitive, with thousands of players globally, but from what I’ve seen here—watching the Sporting Lagos first team, the academy, and even the trialists—there is enough elite talent to demand space in Europe. If you are good enough, the market will find you.
(3) What process does a young talented footballer have to pass through to be picked by teams in Europe?
Answer: The most important step is being in the right environment. You need to be at a club that genuinely cares about your development and knows how to platform you. That is exactly what Sporting Lagos is doing. It’s like a bridge. We ensure the scouts are watching and the videos are getting to the right people. The player’s job is simple: focus on your game. Just be good. If you do the business on the pitch, we do the business off it.
(4) What is the attraction in Nigerian football that scouts come to the country to look for talents when the national teams are not doing ‘well.’
Answer: Pure talent. National team form comes and goes, but the raw material in Nigeria is constant. Scouts aren’t looking at the Super Eagles’ last result; they are looking for the next Victor Osimhen or Odion Ighalo. They know this country produces a specific profile of player (resilient, technical, and hungry) that thrives in Europe. That attraction won’t really ever fade.
(5) What is your assessment of Nigerian football?
Answer: High level. The physicality and strength here are impressive. The players here are robust and naturally athletic, which is a massive advantage in the modern game.
(6) What type of relationship do you have with Sporting Lagos?
Answer: It’s a strategic partnership. I’m working directly with the ownership and technical team to build a world-class recruitment structure. My goal is to use my network and experience to create genuine opportunities for these players to move to the next level, ensuring that when they leave Sporting Lagos, they land in the right places in Europe.
(7) Is this your first time in Nigeria and what is your experience of the people and football culture?
Answer: It is actually my first time in Africa, not just Nigeria. It’s been a brilliant experience. The people have been incredibly welcoming and warm, though I must say, the weather is a bit hot and humid! I’ve tried the Jollof rice, which I loved, and the football culture is electric. Being at a Sporting Lagos game and feeling that atmosphere was special.
