The Football Association’s search for Dan Ashworth‘s successor as Technical Director has reached its critical final stage, with four distinguished football minds emerging as the leading contenders. Jeetwin can exclusively reveal that the shortlist has been whittled down to a quartet of highly experienced figures: Les Reed, Kevin Thelwell, Mark Warburton, and internal candidate Matt Crocker. This pivotal appointment will shape the future of English football for years to come.
The decision is one of the most significant the FA will make, tasked with finding a visionary to build upon the ‘England DNA’ foundation laid by Ashworth, who is set to depart for Brighton in the coming months. The new Technical Director will be responsible for overseeing the entire England pathway, from the youth teams to the senior squad, ensuring a consistent and winning philosophy across all levels.
The Contenders Vying for the Top Job
Matt Crocker: The Internal Architect
Currently the FA’s Head of Development Team Coaching, Matt Crocker represents continuity and deep institutional knowledge. He arrived at the FA from Southampton back in 2013 and has been instrumental in the day-to-day implementation of Ashworth‘s groundbreaking ‘England DNA’ project. His hands-on experience in embedding a unified coaching philosophy across every England age group makes him a formidable internal candidate. Crocker’s intimate understanding of the system’s intricacies gives him a unique advantage in seamlessly continuing the work already in progress.
Les Reed: The Experienced Strategist
A former FA man himself, Les Reed brings a wealth of experience to the table. He previously held a technical role at the Football Association between 2002 and 2004, giving him valuable insight into the organization’s inner workings. Reed’s most recent tenure as Vice-Chairman of Southampton saw him mastermind a period of remarkable success and stability for the club, renowned for its excellent academy and shrewd player recruitment. His recent availability following his departure from Southampton has undoubtedly placed him firmly in the frame for a return to the national setup.
Kevin Thelwell: The Premier League Proven Operator
As the Sporting Director at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Kevin Thelwell has been a central figure in the club’s meteoric rise from the Championship to establishing themselves as a force in the Premier League. His expertise lies in building a competitive squad, strategic recruitment, and managing a high-performance environment—skills that are directly transferable to the international stage. Thelwell’s proven track record at the highest level of domestic football makes him an extremely attractive candidate for the role.
Mark Warburton: The Coach with a Technical Eye
Former Rangers and Brentford manager Mark Warburton completes the impressive shortlist. Since his departure from Nottingham Forest, Warburton has maintained a close relationship with the FA, undertaking various consultancy projects. His unique perspective, blending hands-on managerial experience with a strategic outlook on the game, is highly valued. He was previously considered for the Technical Director position at Burnley, demonstrating that his credentials for such a role are widely recognized within football circles.
A High-Profile Process and Notable Omissions
The recruitment process has been thorough, interviewing several high-calibre individuals from across the sport. One such figure was Les Ferdinand, Queen’s Park Rangers’ Technical Director and a revered former England striker. Ferdinand confirmed he was interviewed for the position but revealed the FA’s feeling was that he was not the right man for the role “at this time.” Despite this, Ferdinand expressed his continued desire to work with the FA in the future, highlighting the prestige associated with this position.
The FA is reportedly keen to secure Ashworth’s replacement before the festive period, allowing for a smooth handover and ensuring no momentum is lost in the critical planning for future international tournaments. The chosen candidate will inherit a system in its healthiest state for a generation, thanks to the successes of the senior men’s and women’s teams, but will also face the immense pressure of delivering England’s first major trophy since 1966.
Jeetwin will continue to bring you the latest developments on this story as the Football Association moves closer to making its decisive choice.
Who do you think is the ideal candidate to lead English football into a new era? Share your thoughts and join the conversation on Jeetwin.
