In Video: Dan Ashworth has been appointed as the first chief football officer at the FA

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New Era of Football Leadership: Dan Ashworth Appointed as FA’s Chief Football Officer

In a significant move, the Football Association (FA) has announced the appointment of Dan Ashworth as its first-ever Chief Football Officer. This newly created role will see Ashworth oversee the development of a high-performance strategy, focusing on the optimization of the National Football Center, St. George’s Park, and the growth of grassroots coaching talent.

Returning to a Familiar Environment

Ashworth is a familiar face at the FA, having previously served as Director of Elite Development and Technical Director from 2013 to 2019. His strong track record in the role compelled three Premier League clubs to seek his expertise, and he went on to hold key positions at Newcastle and Manchester United. However, a period of gardening leave and a brief tenure at Manchester United saw him return to the FA.

A New Chapter for St. George’s Park

Ashworth will lead the regeneration of St. George’s Park, which will undergo a major upgrade to its world-class performance facilities and pitches. This comes as England prepares to co-host the Euro 2028 tournament. The investment in the National Football Center will enable the FA to meet the growing demands of its international teams and provide a haven for England’s young talent to develop.

Key Partnerships and Collaboration

Ashworth will report directly to FA CEO Mark Billingham and will work closely with Men’s Technical Director John McDermott and his successor in the role of Women’s Technical Director. In this new position, Ashworth will focus on developing long-term systems and strategies that underpin the FA’s performance ambitions, including winning England teams and homegrown coaching talent.

Saluting Ashworth’s Appointment

Speaking on the appointment, Mark Bullingham, CEO of the FA, praised Ashworth’s commitment to English football, highlighting his immense influence and respect within the football community. "We are delighted to welcome Dan back to the FA in this new role. His passion for England football is renowned, and we look forward to him driving the regeneration of our National Football Center."

With this appointment, the FA signals a new era of bold leadership, focused on further developing the England teams’ performance potential and fostering grassroots talent.

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