Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson believes Dan Ashworth’s arrival as Brighton’s technical director will be a huge benefit to Palace’s rivals and their manager Chris Hughton.
Hodgson worked with Ashworth – who is leaving the same position at the FA – with both West Brom and England, and said: “He will benefit Chris enormously, because it is great to have someone like that at your club.
“He will be there to help and back Chris to make Brighton a stronger team. I can congratulate them on getting a top guy on board.”
Palace visit Bournemouth on Monday and Hodgson expects a tough encounter.
Speaking at a press conference, he said: “Their start (to the season) has been good and they must be confident.
“It is a question of whether we are good enough to deal with the threats they pose and then whether we are good enough to cause them problems.”