Dowling becomes Watford Sporting Director for second time

Dowling’s first spell as the club’s Sporting Director lasted four years from August 2014. The club were promoted to the Premier League in his first season at Vicarage Road and were still there when he left.

However, they are now about to start their fourth consecutive season in the Championship, having been relegated twice and promoted once since Dowling moved on.

‘A club that I know best’

“Luke brings an experience to the domestic market and brings a domestic feel around the training ground,” Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Scott Duxbury told the club’s podcast.

“He is very good around the players, good messaging with the players and just a useful addition to give us that domestic focus that complements what we already have, so I’m really delighted that he’s back on board.”

After leaving Watford in September 2018, Dowling worked as Sporting Director at Nottingham Forest for nine months and was then Sporting and Technical Director at West Brom for three years.

He told the club’s podcast that he had still watched some Watford games even when he was working at other clubs and supported them as a fan.

“It’s lovely to be back,” he said. “It’s a club that I know best is probably the best way to describe it. Stepping back in and seeing some changes and some things of how we can improve is exciting.”