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3mo ago

Dan Ashworth Named Football Association's First Chief Football Officer

The former Manchester United sporting director returns to the FA to lead high-performance strategy and oversee St. George’s Park upgrades ahead of Euro 2028.

Dan Ashworth (centre) left his job as Manchester United's sporting director after just five months in the role
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Soccer Football - World Cup - Round of 16 - Colombia vs England - Spartak Stadium, Moscow, Russia - July 3, 2018 FA technical director Dan Ashworth inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Carl Recine
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Overview

  • Dan Ashworth has been appointed as the Football Association's first-ever chief football officer, a newly created role overseeing England's men's and women's teams.
  • Ashworth will play a key role in the regeneration of St. George's Park, with significant upgrades planned to its performance facilities and pitches ahead of Euro 2028.
  • He previously served the FA from 2013 to 2018, contributing to the England men's team's 2018 World Cup semi-final run before taking club roles at Brighton, Newcastle, and Manchester United.
  • Ashworth's five-month tenure as Manchester United's sporting director ended in December 2024, costing the club £4.1 million, with reported clashes over leadership fit.
  • Reporting to FA CEO Mark Bullingham, Ashworth will collaborate with men's technical director John McDermott and the incoming women's technical director to drive England's football success.