Dan Ashworth has rejoined the FA after short spells at Newcastle United and Manchester United.
Dan Ashworth would reportedly consider appointing Eddie Howe as England manager should Thomas Tuchel step down next year.
Newcastle United found themselves in the centre of a national debate when Gareth Southgate resigned last summer. An eight-year reign as Three Lions boss came to an end after losing the Euro 2024 final to Spain.
As the standout English manager, Howe’s name was hot on the media’s lips as the FA headhunted Southgate’s replacement. High-profile pundits like Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher named the Toon boss as the right man to take the country forward.
In reality, the FA moved to appoint former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager Tuchel on an 18-month contract. The German became the third foreigner to coach England after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.
Appointed on a short-term deal, Tuchel’s remit is simple - to win the World Cup across the pond next summer. There have been no suggestions the 51-year-old will extend his stay if England succeed and end the 60-year wait without silverware.
Should Tuchel leave, finding his successor would fall at the feet of a man Newcastle fans know well. Ashworth left the Magpies as sporting director in bitter circumstances 15 months ago after announcing his desire to join Manchester United.
A five-month legal wrangle eventually ended last July, with the Red Devils paying compensation to get their man. However, Ashworth lasted just 159 days before being given the bullet by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Dan Ashworth returning to FA six years after exit
He has now returned to the FA - where he spent seven years between 2012 and 2019 - as chief football officer. FA CEO Mark Bullingham announced earlier this week: "Dan is a hugely influential and respected figure in the game, who has a long-standing commitment to England Football. We are very happy to welcome him back in this new role."
Eddie Howe could become England target
The Daily Mail report Howe as a likely target should England be back on the manager hunt next year. It is understood Ashworth targeted the Toon boss for Man United following Erik ten Hag’s sacking.
There were rumours of a rift between the pair at St James’ Park but Howe dismissed those claims - calling Ashworth his “reference point” at Newcastle once he left. Ashworth will need to prepare a succession plan for life without Tuchel and the piece suggests Howe is likely to feature on that list.
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Eddie Howe grilled about England job last year
Following Tuchel’s appointment, Howe revealed he was never approached by the FA. His focus remained solely on Newcastle ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
"I was not,” Howe said when asked whether he was spoken to by England chiefs. “There was no contact from the FA. England have to do what is right for them and only they will know the processes they have gone through and the decisions they have made. I am certainly not the type of person that is going to analyse that.
"For me, it's about Newcastle and trying to win games and it's hard enough to do that if you are 100 per cent focused, and I will always remain that way to my work. If you drop your levels, then the job becomes impossible and at no stage have I allowed myself to do that."
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