Dan Ashworth seals shock return after brutal Man Utd exit cost Jim Ratcliffe millions

Dan Ashworth is set to be unveiled as 's new director of football operations later this week - seven months after discovering his time at was being cut short.

, 54, garnered an impressive reputation within the game during his previous tenure with the FA before leaving in 2018. He has subsequently held roles in the at - where he once again earned plenty of plaudits for his work - and before being pursued by United.

He was eventually given the green light to proceed with a move to Old Trafford in July 2024 , with United with the Magpies' former sporting director.

It emerged back in March that he had and, as first revealed by , an agreement has now been reached.

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Ashworth will be given a broad remit in his new role and is expected to start work 'imminently'. It's outlined that he will effectively be in full control of the FA's football association alongside the organisation's chief executive, Mark Bullingham.

Overseeing a refurbishment of the national training facility, dubbed 'St Georges Park 2.0' will be among the primary projects to be overseen by Ashworth, whose standing within the game has not been affected by his surprisingly brief tenure at Manchester United. The Red Devils are said to have 'agreed to release Ashworth to work' under the terms of his severance package.

Mirror Football outlined that led to Ashworth's exit via mutual consent. One of the factors was a difference of opinion over the appointment of , with Ashworth favouring different candidates over the former Sporting Lisbon chief.

United have not sought an out-an-out replacement for Ashworth since his departure with chief executive, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox, the club's technical director, instead taking on more responsibility.

A statement confirming Ashworth's departure at the time read: “Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as Sporting Director of Manchester United by mutual agreement. We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during a transitional period for the club and wish him well for the future.”

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