Dan Ashworth will start his new role as The FA’s Director of Elite Development on Monday, after leaving his current role at West Bromwich Albion today.

Ashworth, 41, has left the Midlands club - where he was Sporting and Technical Director - to take up a new position at St. George’s Park.

He will oversee delivery of the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) for The FA, in particular through the management of The FA’s coach education team. He will also take responsibility for The FA’s high performance strategy and women’s elite performance unit.

Reflecting on his new role at the national football centre, Ashworth said: “I am really excited about the opportunity as it has been a lifelong goal to work for The FA.

“Over the last few months I have been able to look at the excellent work The FA and the England teams are doing from afar and I’ll hope to be able to add to that.

"With the inception of EPPP and with St. George’s Park having opened, the future of the English game is positive. Personally, I am very excited to be part of it and I look forward to working with a talented team of staff.”

The FA’s General Secretary Alex Horne added: “Dan will play an important role for us as we seek to continue to develop football at Elite level across our England teams and across club football in both the men’s and women’s game.

“Dan is able to bring a wealth of experience in areas such as youth development and he has good contacts across the professional game, which is important for us as we look to improve our relationships with clubs.

“I would like to thank West Bromwich Albion for their professionalism during this process.”

FA Director of Football Development, Sir Trevor Brooking added: “As a key member of my leadership team, Dan will be based at St. George’s Park where he will play an influential role in helping us maximise the potential and expectations which have emerged since its opening.

“He will help me evolve an expanded football development staff structure which can support the different demands of the modern game.  His impact at West Bromwich Albion was clearly evident and can bring us much closer to the needs of his professional colleagues.”