Former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth 'in talks' over Football Association return | OneFootball

Ashworth was credited as one of the driving forces behind England reaching the world cup semi-final in 2018

Return? Former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth could reprise an old role

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Former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth is in talks over a return to the Football Association, according to reports.

The 54-year-old, who left Old Trafford in December after just five months in his role, served as the governing body's director of elite development between 2012 and 2018 and was credited as one of the driving forces behind the England men's team reaching the semi-finals at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Reports have suggested he is in discussions over a role overseeing the technical aspects on the men's and women's national teams and the next stage of the international set-up's home at St George's Park.

The FA has declined to comment on the claims.

After Ashworth's departure from Manchester United - his recruitment and untimely exit cost the club £4.1million - co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe described both his appointment in July 2024 and the retention of then manager Erik ten Hag as "errors".

His work with the FA raised his profile significantly, and the part he played in Brighton's rise as their technical director prompted Newcastle's new Saudi-backed owners to make him their sporting director in 2022.

United fought hard to lure him across the Pennines and eventually got their man, only to dispense with his services summarily amid the club's ongoing problems on the pitch and Ratcliffe's restructuring work off it.