Dan Ashworth (born 6 March 1971) is an English football director. He is the current sporting director for Premier League club Manchester United. He was previously sporting director for Newcastle United, while previously also worked as technical director for West Bromwich Albion and Brighton and Hove Albion, and was FA director of elite development.
Dan Ashworth | |
|---|---|
| Sporting Director of Newcastle United | |
| In office 7 February 2022 – 19 February 2024 | |
| Leader | Yasir Al-Rumayyan Amanda Staveley Jamie Reuben |
| Chairman | Yasir Al-Rumayyan |
| Preceded by | Joe Kinnear (Director of Football) |
| Succeeded by | Paul Mitchell |
| Sporting Director of Manchester United | |
| Assumed office 1 July 2024 - | |
| Leader | Dave Brailsford Jean-Claude Blanc David Gill Michael Edelson Sir Alex Ferguson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 March 1971[1] |
| Occupation | Sporting Director Footballer (1989–2000) |
Career
Ashworth studied at the College of West Anglia from 1987 to 1989.[2] After time in the academy at Norwich City, Ashworth joined non-league club Eastbourne Town playing 21 games and scoring 4 goals[3] before moving across to St. Leonards. Ashworth later spent time in the United States, coaching West Florida Fury, before returning to England to play for Wisbech Town. Ashworth left Wisbech in the autumn of 2000, following financial problems at the club.[4]
Ashworth continued to be involved with football after retiring as a player, and was appointed academy director at Peterborough United in 2000.[5] In 2001, he went on to become center of excellence director at Cambridge United until March 2004 when he moved to West Bromwich Albion assisting youth team manager Aidy Boothroyd. After Boothroyd's departure in the July of that year he took over as youth team manager until he was promoted to the club's sporting and technical director in December 2007.[6]
On 17 September 2012, Ashworth was appointed as the FA director of elite development.[7] He is one of the creators of the "England DNA", an elite player development plan which aims "to help create winning senior teams, in the men's and the women's game."[8][9]
In August 2018, it was reported that Ashworth has been shortlisted by Manchester United as a candidate for the technical director.[10]
In September 2018, it was announced that Ashworth had resigned his role with the FA, and would take up the post of technical director at Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion in spring 2019.[11]
In February 2022, it was confirmed that Ashworth had agreed to join Premier League club Newcastle United, taking up the post of sporting director.[12]
In February 2024, it was reported that Manchester United wanted Ashworth to become the club's sporting director, and the two clubs have been negotiating this move. On 19 February, Newcastle confirmed his departure, and he had begun a period of gardening leave.[13]
On 1 July 2024, it was confirmed by Manchester United that Ashworth was appointed sporting director, following an agreement finalized with his former club.[14]
Personal life
His son Zac Ashworth is a professional footballer, who currently plays for Blackpool.
Honours
Individual
References
- ^ Purnell, Gareth (17 September 2012). "West Brom's Dan Ashworth appointed director of elite development by FA". The Independent. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- ^ "Hall of Fame". College of West Anglia. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
- ^ "ETFC Player Profile: Dan Ashworth". [eastbournetown.com]. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ "Dan Ashworth". Flown From The Nest. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
- ^ Austin, Simon (25 September 2012). "Roy Hodgson's England: Trevor Brooking on Dan Ashworth". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
- ^ "Mowbray praises chairman's decision". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 15 July 2008. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
- ^ "Dan Ashworth named FA director of elite development". BBC Sport. 17 September 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
- ^ "England DNA - The playing and coaching philosophy of the England teams". community.thefa.com. Archived from the original on 3 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
- ^ "England DNA plan: Dan Ashworth believes his manifesto will breed a new". The Independent. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
- ^ "Manchester United identify Dan Ashworth and Paul Mitchell for technical director role". Sky Sports. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
- ^ "Football Association technical director Dan Ashworth to join Brighton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
- ^ "Newcastle to appoint ex-Brighton technical director as director of football". BBC Sport. 7 February 2022.
- ^ "Dan Ashworth commences gardening leave". Newcastle United F.C. 19 February 2024.
- ^ "Ashworth joins Manchester United as sporting director". Manchester United F.C. 1 July 2024.
- ^ Staff, FA (8 December 2017). "ENGLAND COLLECT PRESTIGIOUS UEFA TROPHY AFTER SUCCESSFUL SUMMER FOR MEN'S YOUTH TEAMS". TheFA.com. Retrieved 21 February 2019.