Ak Lakhani

Ak Lakhani joined Gotham FC in January 2023 as part of head coach Juan Carlos Amorós’ staff, following a challenging 2022 campaign. During the 2023 season, Lakhani played a key role in helping the club capture its first-ever NWSL Championship.

In 2024, Lakhani and the coaching staff helped Gotham FC build on that success, finishing third in the regular season before narrowly missing out on a return to the final after a penalty shootout loss to the Washington Spirit in the semifinals. The season featured several club records and culminated in Gotham FC being recognized among the world’s elite, with a nomination for the 2024 FIFA Ballon d’Or.

From 2019 to 2023, Lakhani also served as an assistant coach for the Jamaican women’s national team — the only team in the country’s history to reach the Round of 16 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, accomplishing the feat in 2023. He also played a pivotal role in the team’s third-place finish at the 2022 Concacaf W Championship in Mexico. Lakhani oversaw technical and tactical planning and led recruitment across the United Kingdom for multiple age groups, including the U-16s through the senior national team.

Prior to that, Lakhani was part of Amorós’ coaching staff at Tottenham Hotspur FC from 2011 to 2019. During that time, the club earned back-to-back promotions and won several domestic trophies. He also contributed to the Tottenham Hotspur Academy, working with the boys’ youth teams.

Following his time at Spurs, Lakhani joined Leyton Orient FC, where he served from 2019 to 2022 as a professional development phase coach for the men’s team. His work focused on players ages 16 to 21, and he also held roles as foundation phase and youth development phase lead, implementing a comprehensive coaching syllabus for players from ages 7 to 18. During his tenure, he played a key role in the development of several players who went on to successful professional careers in top European leagues.

Lakhani holds a UEFA A license and earned a bachelor’s degree with a joint major in sports psychology and sports development from the University of Derby.

In 2012, he was honored by His Royal Highness Prince William with a medal for “Outstanding Contribution to Football,” presented during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.