Luke Littler to look after own career following split from management group ahead of World Grand Prix
Luke Littler "on his own" after splitting from management, says "I think it's better"; 'Nuke' speaking after superb display to beat Gian van Veen at World Grand Prix; Van Veen averaged record 106.47 in defeat and Littler says Premier League and major title could be in Dutchman's future
Wednesday 8 October 2025 19:46, UK
Luke Littler plans to look after his own career following a split from ZXF Sports Management on the eve of the World Grand Prix.
Littler, speaking after his scintillating 2-0 win over Gian van Veen in the opening round of the double-in, double-out event in Leicester, will now primarily manage himself, with help from family and Garry Plummer at Target Darts.
The reigning world and World Matchplay champion and 2024 Premier League winner had been with his previous management group, run by Martin Foulds, since the age of 13 in 2020.
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Littler would not be drawn on the reason for the break up but told reporters on Tuesday: "I'm on my own. Just as myself, I think it's better.
"Obviously I've got my family to support me and obviously Martin [Foulds] had done his job, but I think it was the right time.
"Booking flights, hotels and all that stuff and we're on our own.
"I'm going to have help from Garry [Plummer] at Target as well. It's going to be massive; we're going in the right direction.
"No one knows what's been going on behind the scenes. And I won't be saying anything, but it was just the right time."
Littler's win over Van Veen included finishes of 151 and a match-clinching 144 as his opponent lost despite recording the highest average in World Grand Prix history - the Dutchman's 106.47 eclipsing the 106.45 registered by Alan Warriner-Little in 2001.
More advice needed for 'big star' Littler after 'shock' split?
Sky Sports' Glen Durrant, reflecting on Littler's management split:
"I was surprised and I was shocked. I'd like to say a big well done to Martin [Foulds], because Luke was this 13 year old player that everybody was talking about and he's been dealt with absolutely perfectly. I thought it was a combination that worked and a combination that had a little bit of longevity to it.
"He [Littler] has got wonderful support from his mum and dad - I've got to know them really well and the relationship is wonderful.
"It was interesting what Luke said about booking his own flights and hotels. I've had a manager for over a decade now - you want just everything to be perfect, you just want that right person by your side. Maybe Luke sees his dad as that person.
"He [Littler] is an incredible person and it will be eye-watering, some of the contracts that he's looking at, but first and foremost he's just insanely good on the dartboard. That's what's really important to Luke - focusing on what he needs to do and what he does best.
"Luke is monstrous, he's huge, he's a commodity, he's one of the biggest sports stars in Britain, so it won't be just purely the family - they'll be getting good advice elsewhere. He's got good people around him - remember it's been a family which they travel with him everywhere.
"He's so big that I'd be amazed if it's just all about the family. I'd be shocked if it was just a family-run Luke Littler affair. There's good people around him and, with some of those contracts that he'll be dealing with, maybe they'll need some big advice."
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