The English Football Association (FA) has appointed Dan Ashworth as its first Chief Football Officer, tasking him with leading the organisation’s high-performance strategy and overseeing a major transformation of St George’s Park.
This newly created role marks Ashworth’s return to the FA, where he previously served as Director of Elite Development and then Technical Director from 2013 to 2019.
A Strategic Role Spanning Both Men’s And Women’s Football
Ashworth will assume strategic oversight across the England men’s and women’s national teams.
Reporting directly to FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham, he will work closely with John McDermott, Men’s Technical Director, and the successor to Kay Cossington in the Women’s Technical Directorate.
Bullingham welcomed the appointment, stating: “Dan is a hugely influential and respected figure in the game, who has a long-standing commitment to England Football. We are very happy to welcome him back in this new role.”
Overseeing Major Upgrades Ahead Of Euro 2028
As part of his brief, Ashworth will lead the regeneration of St George’s Park, the FA’s national football centre.
The FA will significantly upgrade the facility’s elite performance infrastructure and pitches as England begins preparations to co-host UEFA Euro 2028.
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Ashworth is expected to focus on unlocking the centre’s full potential while building long-term development systems aimed at sustaining the FA’s elite performance goals from winning national teams to nurturing a new generation of homegrown coaches.
From Premier League To National Leadership
Ashworth rejoins the FA after a brief yet high-profile stint as Sporting Director at Manchester United, which ended abruptly in September.
Prior to that, he held prominent roles at three Premier League clubs, including Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United.
His sudden departure from Old Trafford surprised many, particularly as Manchester United had fought hard to recruit him from Newcastle.
During his time at the club, he oversaw a summer transfer spree worth approximately £200 million, bringing in notable names such as Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs De Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, and Joshua Zirkzee.
Ashworth’s appointment signals the FA’s intent to align elite-level performance with long-term development planning.
His blend of technical knowledge, Premier League experience, and prior FA service places him in a unique position to help England achieve lasting success across all levels of international football.
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