He left three years later for a job with the Football Association, and returned to Newcastle in 2014 as assistant to Peter Beardsley in the under-21 team.
[2] In January 2018, Beardsley was suspended due to an inquiry into accusations about his conduct towards players, and Dawson became manager of the team.
[3] His team topped their group in the EFL Trophy in 2018–19, and met the senior side of northeast rivals Sunderland in the third round on 8 January, losing 4–0 at the Stadium of Light.
In July 2019, he led the first team on a tour of China between the exit of Rafael Benítez and appointment of Steve Bruce.
[6] He formed part of the coaching staff of Bruce, interim manager Graeme Jones,[7] and Eddie Howe.