Dan Ashworth has secured his first job back in football since leaving Manchester United in December.
The 54-year-old officially started at Old Trafford as sporting director on July 1 last year, having spent five months on gardening leave at Newcastle.
However, Ashworth left his role at United after just five months, with the club’s accounts revealing that hiring and firing him cost in excess of £4m.
Ashworth has now completed a return to the Football Association, where he worked between 2012 and 2018.
He has been appointed as the FA’s first chief football officer, a role that will see him have “strategic oversight” over the England men’s and women’s teams, as well as overseeing the regeneration of St George’s Park.
Ashworth has been tasked with building long-term plans in line with the FA’s ambitions, “from winning England teams to developing more homegrown coaches.”
"Dan is a hugely influential and respected figure in the game, who has a long-standing commitment to England Football," FA CEO Mark Bullingham said.
"We are very happy to welcome him back in this new role."
In a wide-ranging interview in March, United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe admitted that bringing Ashworth to the club had been a mistake, but refused to provide an explanation on his departure beyond pointing to “chemistry”.
“It was an error on our part,” Ratcliffe said.
“All I will say is chemistry, really. I don't really want to go into the details. I think we are where we are. We have moved on. A chemistry issue.”
He added: “We are not perfect, and we are on a journey, and there have been a couple of errors along the way, but I think in the main all the things we are doing are the right things for the club.
“I agree the Erik ten Hag and Dan Ashworth decisions were errors. I think there were some mitigating circumstances, but ultimately they were errors. I accept that and I apologise for that.”
