Football Association appoint West Ham's Dan Ashworth as new director of elite development Dan is highly regarded and hugely respected within the game and we believe securing his services at the FA will give the future of English football, from the grassroots to the elite level, a tremendous boost. Ashworth added: "I am really pleased and indeed honoured to have been offered the opportunity to join the FA. Working within the national set-up has always been a lifelong ambition. To do so at a time when the future of the game in this country has never looked brighter, through the completion of St George's Park and the youth development proposals, is an exciting challenge which I look forward to taking on. West Brom granted Ashworth permission to talk to the FA after he expressed a desire to explore the opportunity following an official approach 10 days ago, according to a club statement. Club chairman Jeremy Peace said: "Dan has worked tirelessly for this club over the past eight years. He has certainly taken on a challenging role within the FA and will leave with our best wishes. He has overseen the appointment of three head coaches and the continuation of the club's traditional playing philosophy. His contribution has been a key factor in our two most recent promotion successes and the securing of an unprecedented third successive season in the Barclays Premier League. We have had discussions with Dan in an effort to persuade him to stay but the opportunity to work within the national set-up is an ambition he has held for a long time. Ashworth also worked at West Brom with current England manager Roy Hodgson but Peace said the 41-year-old would give the club his "undivided attention" until moving to the FA next year. "Dan still has an important role to play this season and he and his staff have already begun planning for the January transfer window," said Peace. Dan has laid a solid foundation for the sporting and technical director position and will now play his part in identifying the right person to continue his good work. Although you never wish to lose such excellent colleagues, I think the fact both Roy and Dan have been chosen by the FA reflects well on West Bromwich Albion and the manner in which we have structured the football club.