Former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth has been announced as the new head of elite men’s and women’s development at the Football Association. Ashworth, who left Manchester United in December, previously worked at the FA between 2012 and 2018, overseeing England’s elite teams and FA education and coaching.
Part of Ashworth’s new role will involve overseeing the development of homegrown coaches, as the FA aims to address the lack of English managers in the Premier League. Only two current permanent Premier League managers are English, prompting changes to be made to cultivate local coaching talent.
Ashworth will also be involved in the next phase of the refurbishment of St. George’s Park, the training base for all of England’s national teams. The move to appoint Ashworth comes after John McDermott, the FA’s men’s technical director, confirmed he will be staying in his current position.
In a recent interview, Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe admitted that hiring Ashworth was a mistake, after it was revealed that his hiring and firing cost the club £4.1 million. Despite this, Ashworth’s return to the FA has not been commented on by the organization.
Aside from his role at the FA, Ashworth has been working with Warwickshire County Cricket Club, advising on performance strategy. Sources have clarified that this role is unpaid and has been ongoing since 2021.
The FA’s decision to bring Ashworth back into the fold highlights their commitment to developing English coaching talent and improving the overall structure of the national teams. With Ashworth’s experience and expertise, the FA aims to make significant strides in elite men’s and women’s development in the coming years.
