Ashworth appointed as FA’s new Director of Elite Development
DAN Ashworth has today been confirmed by The Football Association as their new Director of Elite Development.The 41-year-old will remain in his current position as Albion’s Sporting & Technical Director until next summer before taking up his new post at St George’s Park.
The Club granted Ashworth permission to talk to The FA after he expressed a desire to explore the opportunity following an official approach ten days ago.
Ashworth has become highly-respected within the game for the role he has performed at The Hawthorns since becoming the Club’s Sporting & Technical Director in July 2008.
The departments he has been responsible for – first team, scouting & recruitment, medical & sports science and Academy – have all gone from strength to strength under his leadership.
Chairman Jeremy Peace said: “Dan has worked tirelessly for this Club over the past eight years.
“He has certainly taken on a challenging role within The FA and will leave with our best wishes.
“The Sporting & Technical Director post is a position we firmly believed was vital to the success of this football club and Dan has helped to shape this role.
“He has overseen the appointment of three head coaches and the continuation of the club’s traditional playing philosophy.
“His contribution has been a key factor in our two most recent promotion successes and the securing of an unprecedented third successive season in the Barclays Premier League.
“We have had discussions with Dan in an effort to persuade him to stay but the opportunity to work within the national set-up is an ambition he has held for a long time.”
Ashworth will now focus on helping the Club to identify his successor and integrating the new appointment into the role. This will enable the Club to be well equipped for the 2013 summer transfer window.
Ashworth becomes the second Albion official in the space of four months to be recruited by The FA following Roy Hodgson’s appointment as England Manager in May.
“Dan has reassured me he will continue to give his West Bromwich Albion duties his undivided attention,” added Peace.
“Dan still has an important role to play this season and he and his staff have already begun planning for the January transfer window.
“Dan has laid a solid foundation for the Sporting & Technical Director position and will now play his part in identifying the right person to continue his good work.
“That search is now underway but we will take our time to ensure we appoint the right candidate.
“Although you never wish to lose such excellent colleagues, I think the fact both Roy and Dan have been chosen by The FA reflects well on West Bromwich Albion and the manner in which we have structured the football club.”
Ashworth joined Albion in March 2004, leaving his post as Cambridge United's Centre of Excellence Director to assist then-Centre of Excellence Manager Aidy Boothroyd.
He took charge of the Club’s youth set-up just three months later when Boothroyd left to take up a first-team coaching role at Leeds United and successfully oversaw the transition to Academy status for the start of the 2005/06 campaign.
Ashworth was seconded to the role of Sporting & Technical Director (Designate) in December 2007 before the appointment was made permanent seven months later.