Newcastle United Blocks Manchester United’s Move for Dan Ashworth
In a shocking turn of events, Newcastle United has denied Manchester United access to their sporting director, Dan Ashworth, after he expressed his desire to join the Red Devils. This move has left Newcastle furious and has raised tensions between the two clubs.
The 52-year-old Ashworth informed Newcastle on Sunday about his wish to become Manchester United’s first-ever sporting director. However, despite his intentions, Manchester United is yet to make an official approach, which has further angered Newcastle. In response, Newcastle has placed Ashworth on gardening leave and demanded a reported compensation package of around £20 million to reduce his notice period, which is believed to be around 20 months.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s side, Manchester United, considers this compensation fee to be excessive. Nevertheless, it is evident that Newcastle is dissatisfied with how the situation has unfolded. The tension between the two clubs has escalated to the point where Newcastle has taken drastic measures to protect their interests.
According to reports from the Times, Newcastle has blocked Ashworth’s access to the club’s internal programs, including the database and scouting reports. This prevents him from obtaining any confidential information and secrets about the club that could potentially be shared with Manchester United once he completes his move to Old Trafford.
Newcastle’s concerns seem to be well-founded, as their head coach, Eddie Howe, alluded to last Friday. He acknowledged that Ashworth holds a position of power and possesses valuable intelligence and information regarding transfers. This unique situation has raised legitimate concerns for Newcastle, prompting them to draw a line and protect their interests.
The fallout from this situation is likely to continue as Manchester United and Newcastle are set to negotiate the terms of Ashworth’s departure. The potential compensation package remains a point of contention between the two clubs. It remains to be seen how this saga will unfold and whether an agreement can be reached that satisfies both parties.
In the world of football, these kinds of power struggles and transfers are not uncommon. Clubs often find themselves at odds with each other when it comes to securing the services of key personnel. In this case, Newcastle’s decision to block Ashworth’s database access demonstrates their determination to protect their club’s interests and prevent any potential breaches of confidentiality.
As the situation develops, it will undoubtedly be interesting to see how both clubs navigate this controversy. The outcome of this dispute will have implications not only for the individuals involved but also for the future working relationship between Newcastle United and Manchester United. For now, all eyes are on Old Trafford as negotiations continue and the footballing world eagerly awaits a resolution.
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