Dan Ashworth: the culture king working in the shadows

In an era where football is obsessed with data, spending power and short term optics, Dan Ashworth has built his reputation on something far more valuable: culture. Or more specifically the ability to build a culture that thrives on pressure, allows talent to grow and produces results when it matters most. His return to the corridors of power at St George’s Park last spring, as The FA’s chief football officer almost went unnoticed, but it was a smart move and one which will serve England well at this summer’s World Cup.