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.

Career

Ashworth studied at the College of West Anglia from 1987 to 1989. After time in the academy at Norwich City, Ashworth joined non-league club Eastbourne Town playing 21 games and scoring four goals 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. Ashworth continued to be involved with football after retiring as a player, and was appointed academy director at Peterborough United in 2000. In 2001, he went on to become centre 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. On 17 September 2012, Ashworth was appointed as the FA director of elite development. 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." In August 2018, it was reported that Ashworth has been shortlisted by Manchester United as a candidate for the technical director. 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. In February 2022, it was confirmed that Ashworth had agreed to join Premier League club Newcastle United, taking up the post of sporting director. 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. On 1 July 2024, it was confirmed by Manchester United that Ashworth was appointed sporting director, following an agreement finalised with his former club.

Personal life

His son Zac Ashworth is a professional footballer, who plays for Blackpool.

Honours

Individual