Dan Ashworth is back in the football spotlight — and back where he once helped build England’s future.
Just months after a surprise exit from Manchester United, Ashworth has taken up a major new post with the Football Association.
The FA has appointed Ashworth as its first-ever Chief Football Officer. It’s a big move for English football — and a familiar face returning to familiar territory.
Dan Ashworth has been appointed as our first chief football officer to lead the high-performance strategy and new-look St. George’s Park.
— The FA (@FA) May 14, 2025
The 54-year-old will now lead high-performance strategy and help shape the future of both England’s men’s and women’s national teams.
After a short and stormy stint at Old Trafford, this comeback is one fans and insiders alike will be watching closely.
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From being chased by Manchester United for nearly a year to leaving after just five months, Ashworth’s career has been anything but predictable.
Now, he’s swapping boardroom drama for a role that could shape England’s next footballing chapter.
Dan Ashworth set to play big role ahead of World Cup and Euro 2028
Ashworth’s new job puts him at the center of the FA’s major projects, including a revamp of St George’s Park. The state-of-the-art facility is getting a major facelift ahead of Euro 2028, and Ashworth will be key to making sure it delivers.
He’ll also be working closely with technical directors on both the men’s and women’s sides, reporting directly to FA CEO Mark Bullingham.
“Dan is a hugely influential and respected figure in the game, who has a long-standing commitment to England football,” Bullingham said. “We are very happy to welcome him back in this new role.”
For Ashworth, it’s a return to an organization he knows well — he held senior roles at the FA between 2013 and 2019.
And while his time at United ended in a red card-style exit, his resume remains strong, with successful spells at West Brom, Brighton, and Newcastle.
Whether he’ll score with this second spell at the FA remains to be seen, but one thing is clear — the FA’s betting on Ashworth to lead England into the future, both on and off the pitch.
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