Dan Ashworth is reportedly in discussions for a surprising new position following his departure as Manchester United’s sporting director last year.
The 54-year-old officially exited his role by mutual agreement in December. However, reports indicated that minority co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe had actually relieved him of his responsibilities.
Sources suggest that a key factor in Ashworth’s exit was his involvement in the decision to extend Erik ten Hag’s contract during the previous summer and to identify transfer targets for the manager.
Manchester United’s recent financial reports revealed that the club spent a total of £4.1 million in compensation to both acquire Ashworth from Newcastle initially and as a severance payment upon his departure.
Since leaving Old Trafford, Ashworth has been engaged in a consultancy role with Warwickshire County Cricket Club.
BBC Sport sources within the cricket club stated that he had commenced this voluntary and unpaid role back in 2021, and it continues to be in that capacity.
Now, a report from The Telegraph indicates that Ashworth is in talks for a potential return to the Football Association (FA) in a shock move. He was previously a significant figure at the FA before joining Brighton & Hove Albion in 2018.
Ashworth is held in high regard within the FA. The report further suggests that he is being considered for a brand-new, high-level senior position within the organization.
This proposed role would involve overseeing the ‘St George’s Park 2.0 project’ – described as a ‘radical refurbishment’ of England’s current state-of-the-art national football centre.
Ashworth’s responsibilities in this position would extend to managing the men’s and women’s national teams at both senior and junior levels. Furthermore, a key area of focus would be the development of British football coaches.
More to follow…
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Manchester United, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Premier League
Dan Ashworth is reportedly in discussions for a surprising new position following his departure as Manchester United's sporting director last year.
The 54-year-old officially exited his role by mutual agreement in December. However, reports indicated that minority co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe played a key role in his departure, effectively relieving him of his duties at Old Trafford.
Sources suggest that one of the primary reasons behind Ashworth's exit was his involvement in decisions regarding team management, including extending Erik ten Hag’s contract last summer and identifying key transfer targets for the Dutch manager.
Manchester United’s recently released financial reports unveiled a significant expenditure of £4.1 million. This sum encompasses compensation paid to Newcastle United to secure Ashworth's services initially and a severance package following his exit from the club.
Since departing from Manchester United, Ashworth has taken on a consultancy role with Warwickshire County Cricket Club, showcasing his diverse skillset beyond football management.
BBC Sport sources within Warwickshire CCC have clarified that this role, undertaken since 2021, remains entirely voluntary and unpaid, highlighting Ashworth's continued engagement across different sporting domains.
Now, in a surprising turn of events, The Telegraph reports that Ashworth is engaged in talks for a potential return to the Football Association (FA). This move would mark a return to familiar territory for Ashworth, who was a key figure at the FA before his move to Brighton & Hove Albion back in 2018.
He is reportedly highly respected within the FA, and the report indicates that he is being considered for a newly created, high-ranking senior position within the organization. This signifies the FA's recognition of his expertise and potential impact on English football development.
This prospective role is reported to be centred around overseeing the ambitious 'St George's Park 2.0 project'. This project is described as a 'radical refurbishment' and upgrade of St George's Park, the FA's current elite national football centre, aimed at maintaining its status as a world-class training facility.
Ashworth's potential responsibilities in this expansive role would include:
- Oversight of men's and women's national teams across all age groups, from senior to junior levels.
- Strategic focus on the long-term development of British football coaches, a critical area for sustained success in English football.
Should these talks progress successfully, it would represent a quick and significant return to a high-profile role for Dan Ashworth after his Manchester United departure, focusing on the broader landscape of English football development.
More developments are anticipated in the coming days. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Manchester United, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Premier League