Iain Dowie is a former professional footballer and manager. Throughout his playing career Ian has represented a number of top-level clubs and earned over fifty caps at international level for Northern Ireland.

Born in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, Iain completed his Masters in Engineering from University of Hertfordshire before embarking on his professional football career. He first played for Cheshunt F.C. then St. Alban’s City and Hendon – where First Division club Luton Town spotted him and signed him in the 1988–89 season. He then moved on a brief loan spell to Fulham, before establishing himself as a first team player in the 1989–90 season when his eight goals in 29 league games helped Luton finish seventh in the league.

In 1991 Iain agreed to join Second Division promotion chasers West Ham United for a fee of £480,000. His four goals in the final 12 league games secured the team's promotion to the First Division. After less than six months at Upton Park Iain was snapped up by Southampton for £500,000. He played alongside Alan Shearer and Matthew Le Tissier – two of the country's highest regarded strikers in the early 1990s – and scored nine goals in 30 league games to ensure that the team was part of the newly-formed FA Premier League. His good form continued in the 1992–93 season as he scored 11 league goals.

Following a successful spell at Crystal Palace Iain returned to West Ham before moving across London to Queens Park Rangers where he ended his days playing in defence, and taking on the player-manager role for QPR's reserve team. Iain also had a brief spell as caretaker manager of QPR in the autumn of 1998.

After retirement from playing, Iain became assistant manager of Oldham Athletic. He was then appointed manager and led the club into the Second Division play-offs in the 2002–03 season. In late 2003, Iain was appointed manager of Crystal Palace. Under his leadership, the club went on an impressive run that included 17 wins from 23. Dowie transformed the squad taking them from a relegation position to sixth in the table and an all important play-off place. This feat was attributed to complete change in the atmosphere and training regime at the club, including a tougher disciplinary regime, introduced by Iain. After beating Sunderland in the semi-final, on a penalty shootout, Palace then beat Iain's former club West Ham by a single goal in the Final for a place in the FA Premier League.

Charlton was the next job for Iain after leaving Selhurst Park. During his time at Charlton Iain took the Addicks to the quarter-final of the League Cup for the first time in their history. In early 2007, Iain was unveiled as Coventry City manager. He found immediate success with the Sky Blues with a number of early wins.

Following a brief spell in charge of Queens Park Rangers Iain was appointed to the coaching staff of Alan Shearer's Newcastle United in 2009. The following year Iain was named Football Management Consultant of Premier League side Hull City.

Due to his character and in-depth understanding of the game Iain makes frequent appearences on television and radio. He features regularly on Sky Sports as a commentator, offering his expert opinion on the weekend's action. With a wealth of experience at the top level as both a player and manager Iain is a popular choice of pundit.