Paul Ashworth, from Buxton near Aylsham, began his football career as a trainee at Carrow Road. Failing to make the grade, he moved into coaching Norwich's youngsters alongside Kit Carson and Keith Webb..He later became Youth Development Officer at Cambridge United and Peterborough. At London Road, he progressed to the position of First Team Coach before he was dismissed by Barry Fry

In January 2001, his links with then Latvian national coach Gary Johnson led to his appointment as manager of Latvian side FK Ventspils. After moving to FK Riga and marrying a Latvian wife, he was appointed Sporting Director for Russian side Rostov. When manager Gennadi Stepushkin temporarily stepped down as coach of Rostov because of illness, Ashworth became the first Englishman to manage a Russian league side when Rostov travelled a 1,800km round trip to play FC Rubin Kazan, gaining a 1-1 draw.

Paul later joined Skonto Riga. In May 2008, he was linked with the vacant manager's position at Scottish Premier League side Hearts and is said to be on the wish-list of Hearts' controversial owner Vladimir Romanov. Ashworth said “Hearts are a fantastic club and I would be extremely interested in the job. “I've now worked between Russia and Latvia for the past eight years and perhaps the fact I speak Russian might interest Mr Romanov. I have not recieved any official approach from Hearts but it's something I would certainly have to consider, although I'm enjoying my time in Riga. I have a contract at Skonto but if Hearts wanted to speak with me I'd certainly listen.”