Dan Ashworth in contention for Birmingham City role as trio set for interviews
Dan Ashworth is a contender to be the next Birmingham City director of football, sources have told Football Insider.
The 55-year-old former Newcastle and Brighton recruitment chief is competing for the high profile Championship post with ex-Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman and the Blues’ current academy director Mike Rigg.
All three are in line to have interviews with Birmingham City as the second-tier outfit working on finalising what will be a crucial appointment.
The Blues’ sporting director role became available on Friday after Gary Gardner left the position, having previously held it since February 2025.
He helped oversee Birmingham City’s League One title victory with a record 111 points before the club finished 10th on their return to the Championship this season.
Dan Ashworth aiming for domestic football return
Ashworth had previously established himself as one of the best sporting directors in the Premier League after successful spells at Brighton and Hove Albion and Newcastle United between 2019 and 2024.
At both clubs, he oversaw their rise up the Premier League table, which helped him land the sporting director job at Manchester United in 2024.
This would last just five months amid a period of transition and restructuring at the Red Devils, with Ashworth since being appointed the FA's first Chief Football Officer in May 2025.
The 55-year-old could now be in line for a return to domestic football with Birmingham City, if he is successful in the interview.
However, it remains to be seen who will replace Gardner this summer.
New sporting director faces tough challenge at Birmingham City
The club has not been in the English top-flight since 2011 and has struggled to mount promotion challenges since their relegation.
The Blues were once again unable to achieve this in the 2025-26 season, as they ended the campaign nine points off the playoffs.
Promotion in the upcoming season is likely going to be a massive task for whoever comes in, with Wolves, West Ham and Burnley likely to be competing for a top two spot.
Therefore, a big summer transfer window will be needed by Birmingham City to rapidly improve the quality of their squad and push them into the playoff zone.