Dan Ashworth, the former sporting director of Manchester United, is making a comeback to the English Football Association (FA). The 54-year-old left the FA in 2019 to join Brighton and Hove Albion after serving as the director of elite development and later as technical director. During his time at the FA, he played a significant role in developing both the men’s and women’s national teams. John McDermott is now the men’s technical director at the FA.
Ashworth’s return to the FA in a broad strategic role is expected to be officially announced this week. Since leaving his position at Old Trafford on December 8, just five months after being hired, he has been without a role. His tenure as director of football at United began on July 1, 2024, but he was placed on gardening leave as part of his departure from Newcastle United. Despite being tasked with reshaping the club and overseeing football performance, recruitment, and operations, tensions arose with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, leading to his departure in December.
The move back to the FA marks Ashworth’s return to an organization where he spent over six years. He played a crucial role in England’s under-17 and under-20 World Cup victories in 2017 before leaving to become Brighton’s technical director in 2019. He later resigned from that position in February 2022 to join Newcastle as a sporting director. Ashworth’s departure and arrival at Old Trafford earlier this year cost the club £4.1 million, as revealed in their latest financial results.
