Ashworth: I could not wait four years

Dan Ashworth has said he made up his mind to step down as technical director of the Football Association the moment England landed back home after reaching the World Cup semi-finals last summer.

The 47-year-old, who joined the FA in 2012, completed his last day with the organisation yesterday before taking up a similar role at Brighton and Hove Albion. He will be replaced by Les Reed, who recently left Southampton.

Ashworth said the realisation he would have to wait another four years before going to a World Cup had influenced his decision. “We landed – I’ll never forget this – coming back from Russia. It occurred to me it would be another 4½ years before we did this again,” Ashworth said. “We didn’t see all the euphoria, so I don’t think you ever quite feel what was going on in the country. It was emotionally difficult to get back into normal life, while realising there was still a fair chunk of time before we had another go at competing in football’s ultimate tournament: a World Cup.

“It was difficult but in a nice way. I’d rather that than come back as we have after other tournaments.”

Ashworth was a close ally of Gareth Southgate, the England manager, and drew up the elite player development plan known as “England DNA” aimed at creating more successful sides. England won Under-20 and Under-17 World Cups and the Under-19s became European champions.

He insisted his decision was not based on being offered a higher salary by Brighton. “I’ve never been money-driven,” he said. “It’s got nothing to do with that, I left West Brom to come to England for less.

“I’d missed the day-to-day part of being at a football club. I always felt I’d go back into club football.”