Nigerian-born Lola Ogunbote joins Chelsea Women as head of football operations

Nigerian-born football executive Lola Ogunbote has officially joined Chelsea FC Women as the new Head of Football Operations & Player Services.

Ogunbote moved to the London club after almost five years at Burnley, where she served as the club’s first Head of Women’s Football from 2021. During her time at Burnley, she played a key role in recruitment, player development, performance structures and the wider development of the women’s football programme.

Her spell at Burnley ended on a high, with the women’s team winning the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division title and securing promotion last season. Burnley confirmed in June that Ogunbote would leave the club at the end of the month.

At Chelsea, Ogunbote has taken on a key role in the club’s women’s football structure. Her duties have already involved coordinating the team’s pre-season programme and managing logistical demands arising from Chelsea’s WSL home games at Stamford Bridge and Champions League fixtures at AFC Wimbledon.

The London club will also be aiming to reclaim its position at the summit of women’s football after finishing third in the WSL last season, behind Manchester City and Arsenal.

Although born in Nigeria, Ogunbote was raised in East London after moving to Britain as a baby.

Beyond her work at professional football clubs, she has also remained involved in efforts to create opportunities for girls through football, particularly in Africa.

Ogunbote is an executive director of the United States-based Goals for Girls, an organisation focused on using football to promote leadership and opportunities for girls.

In February 2026, she helped bring the organisation’s leadership and football programme to Surulere, Lagos.

The two-day programme brought together 300 female students from 10 schools and combined football training with leadership development.

In 2024, she earned a place on the 2024 Football Black List in the administration category, alongside figures including Paul Elliott, Mark Esiri and Fleur Robinson.