Dan Ashworth’s return to the Football Association (FA) could be bad news for Newcastle United.
Former Newcastle United sporting director Ashworth is now back in work following a very small stint at Manchester United.
Ashworth has been appointed as the FA’s new ‘Chief Football Officer’, having previously worked for English football’s governing body in a different capacity.
It has been a turbulent period in the 54-year-old’s career. The Daily Telegraph have claimed that Ashworth has told people he regrets leaving Newcastle, having lasted only a few months at Old Trafford upon his departure last summer.
Now, however, Ashworth could come back to haunt Newcastle with a potential move for Eddie Howe.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Dan Ashworth could look to take Eddie Howe away from Newcastle
Part of Ashworth’s role at the FA will be to develop “more homegrown coaches”, which is interesting after the debate that was had about the state of English coaching when the FA appointed Thomas Tuchel as England manager.
Howe was considered for the England job too but has since confirmed he was never actually contacted.
Still, according to The Daily Mail, Howe’s name is “certain” to feature prominently when Ashworth begins the task of finding Tuchel’s replacement. The German is only under contract until after the 2026 World Cup.
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The two are said to have a good relationship despite previous reports suggesting otherwise. In fact, Ashworth is said to have wanted Howe to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United earlier this season.
As such, Newcastle are said to be braced for fresh interest from the FA when the time comes.
Games Wins Draws Losses Trophies
171 91 33 47 1
Eddie Howe’s record as Newcastle United manager
Is Eddie Howe the best English manager?
You’d have to say so at this point.
Howe became the first English manager to win a major domestic trophy since Harry Redknapp in 2008 when Newcastle lifted the Carabao Cup in March.
He’s on course to secure a second Champions League qualification in three seasons, too. Having done all that while struggling to sign players due to the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) is a significant achievement.
At some point, perhaps the England job will appeal. For now, however, there’s surely much more to do at Newcastle.