Former Nottingham Forest technical director Luke Dowling has left his role at West Bromwich Albion, with the Baggies in chaos.
The newly relegated second tier outfit still haven’t appointed a manager and have now parted with Dowling who was overseeing the process.
David Wagner has been linked, along with Chris Wilder, who seems keen to wait for other opportunities.
Dowling only spent six months at the City Ground but did help Aitor Karanka assemble his squad for the 2018/19 campaign.
Forest added a plethora of players on his watch. Michael Dawson returned to the club, with Jack Colback, Lewis Grabban and Jack Robinson also checking in.
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Previously, Dowling had worked at Watford. He signed Ben Watson for the Hornets and later claimed it was the best deal he’s ever done.
Dowling’s departure leaves the Baggies in limbo ahead of the new season.
Not only will they have to appoint a new manager but following relegation they’ll need some new players.
As a result, replacing Dowling quickly looks like a paramount task for the club’s board.
Forest have themselves been busy behind the scenes.
After losing Dowling, Forest did endure a sporadic time of things in the transfer market.
Last summer it all came to a head, with the club adding 16 new players despite a seventh-place finish the season previous.
Chris Brass has come into the club this summer in a new recruitment role and that bodes well.
Forest are yet to add to their squad during the transfer window but will be working tirelessly behind the scenes.
Could Dowling head back to Forest?
That ship looks to have sailed really.
It seems unlikely that Dowling would consider a return to the club and he was very much an appointment made by Karanka.
Forest have Gary Brazil and Brass in recruitment roles now and that bodes well for the Reds.
The club has to show the supporters they have learned from their mistakes this summer and the appointment of Brass could be telling.
For the club to progress on the pitch, they need to get the transfer business spot on and an intriguing summer lies in store for Forest.