The English Football Association has today confirmed that Ashworth has resigned from his technical director role to join Brighton and Hove Albion, in a move that could prove very damaging to Gareth Southgate's England team.
The 47-year-old technical director had been a high profile target for many top flight English clubs since England's brilliant World Cup sent his reputation soaring. But Brighton and Hove Albion have won the race for his signature, as announced by the club this morning. Ashworth has previously held a similar role at West Bromwich Albion, and has since been heavily credited with the England's recent successes at youth level after his time in the midlands.
The move is also set to have a great impact on the operations of the England men's first team, as Ashworth leaves having been a key part of Gareth Southgate's staff during the successful semi-final finish at the World Cup in Russia. Other key achievements which occurred during Ashworth's tenure include England Women's third place World Cup finish in 2015; England Women's semi-final finish at the European Championships in 2017, and the men's under-19 European championship victory, as well as the under 20 and under 17 men's youth teams World Cup wins..
Following the announcement, Ashworth released a statement which said although he "thoroughly enjoyed" his time spent working for the FA, he described the chance to join Brighton as a "huge opportunity".The Football Association also released a statement following the announcement, in which it confirmed that Ashworth had "resigned as technical director", and praised his work during his time in the role. The FA also added that "The search for his successor will begin immediately, with Ashworth set to leave the organisation in the new year."