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The current transfer window has seen Nigerian players making significant moves, but it’s not just the players this time.
Coaches and individuals of Nigerian descent in the football world are also making notable moves.
Recently, former Super Eagles winger Sone Aluko was appointed as a first-team coach at Ipswich Town, and ex-international Seyi Olofinjana was given a talent management position at Chelsea.
Sone Aluko. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Getty Images)
And Now, Lukas Babalola has joined Feyenoord as the assistant manager to Brian Priske.
Early Life and Career
Lukas Babalola was born on February 9, 1997, in Denmark to parents of Nigerian descent.
He discovered early on that playing football wasn’t his path, and by the age of 17, he joined the youth coaching team at Holbæk B&I. There, he demonstrated his aptitude for developing young talent.
After his stint at Holbæk B&I, Babalola moved to Køge, where he spent three years developing his abilities and acquiring invaluable expertise.
Following this, he joined the youth academy of Superligaen club Lyngby BK, where he was promoted to the position of match analyst for the first team after two years.
Moving Abroad
In July 2023, Babalola left Denmark to begin work as the Chief Analyst under head coach Brian Priske at Czech Republic champions Sparta Prague.
Just six months later, in January 2024, he was promoted to assistant coach.
In his debut season at Sparta Prague, Babalola was part of the technical staff that won both the national championship and the cup.
Joining Feyenoord
On 12th June 2024, Dutch club Feyenoord announced the appointment of Brian Priske as their new head coach following Arne Slot’s departure to Liverpool.
Priske made it clear that he would not move without his trusted assistant, and shortly after, Feyenoord reached an agreement for Babalola to join as the new assistant manager on July 1st.
The Nigerian descent during Feyenoord’s first public training of the 2024-25 season at Sportcomplex 1908.(Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
Priske has praised Babalola’s abilities, stating:
“As a new coach, it is good to have someone in the group who knows me well, someone who knows what I need when it comes to structure and football. That is why I am happy that Lukas Babalola is coming with me. I worked with him for a year at Sparta Prague, and he did very well. First as an analyst and later as an assistant coach. He knows a lot about the style of play.”
Confirming the news, Babalola took to social media, writing, “Thanks to @ACSparta_CZ for an amazing season. Now on to new adventures in Rotterdam 🙏⚽️.”
