Get Guardian on GoogleFormer Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth has returned to the Football Association (FA) after being appointed as chief football officer following his ill-fated stint at Old Trafford.
The 54-year-old served as the governing body’s director of elite development and then as technical director between 2013-2019 before taking up positions at Brighton and Newcastle ahead of a five-month stay at Old Trafford, which ended in December.
His appointment at United was seen as a major coup among sweeping changes to the Red Devils’ sporting structure under minority owner Jim Ratcliffe.
Ashworth had been expected to spearhead an overhaul of United’s underachieving team, alongside manager Ruben Amorim, who was appointed in November, but he left the club the following month.
After Ashworth’s departure from United, Ratcliffe described both his appointment in July 2024 and the retention of then manager Erik ten Hag as “errors”.
In his newly created role, Ashworth will take oversight of the England men’s and women’s teams.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “Dan is a hugely influential and respected figure in the game, who has a longstanding commitment to England Football.
“We are very happy to welcome him back in this new role.”
Ashworth was previously credited for implementing a structure at the FA that helped turn around the fortunes of England’s men’s team.
