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West Brom appoint Luke Dowling as sporting and technical director

Albion have confirmed the appointment of Luke Dowling as their new sporting and technical director.

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Luke Dowling. Photo: WBA/AMA

Dowling joins from Championship rivals Nottingham Forest, where he had held the post of sporting director since February.

Prior to that, he spent four years in the same role as Watford, where he was credited with helping the club’s promotion to the Premier League.

He replaces Giuliano Terraneo, whose temporary stay as technical consultant ended early due to disagreements with head coach Darren Moore and chief executive Mark Jenkins.

Terraneo had replaced Nick Hammond, who was sacked in March thanks to his role in appointing Alan Pardew as head coach.

Dowling wants to help the Baggies get back on track.

“If you go back seven or eight years, Albion were looked at by other teams in the Championship and Premier League as the club to be replicated,” he said. “Albion were ahead of the game.

"Outside the top four, as it was then, the remit was to work ‘the West Brom way’.

"That’s a big compliment and we want to try to get back to that as best we can

"I want to help make it a really good environment for everyone to work – it’s an exciting opportunity and I’m delighted to be here.”

Dowling briefly worked with Baggies boss Darren Moore at Blackburn Rovers five years ago when he was head of recruitment and Moore was first team coach under Michael Appleton.

The former Tottenham academy player whose own career was cut short at 28 through injury is relishing the chance to rekindle their partnership.

“Darren is a thinker, he lives and breathes football,” said Dowling. “I saw how he worked at Blackburn.

"He’s a man players want to play for and staff want to work for.”

Moore was consulted by Jenkins in the recruitment process.

He said: “Luke is an energetic, intelligent guy in terms of player recruitment, structure and the day-to-day running of a club.

“He will be a significant help in giving us direction and he’ll bring bright, fresh new ideas.

“Luke’s a perfect fit for where we are at this moment and I’m really looking forward to working alongside him again.”

Meanwhile, former Baggies director Dan Ashworth has joined Brighton as technical director, and will begin work there in the spring.