Dan Ashworth Placed on Gardening Leave as He Expresses Desire for Man United
In a shocking turn of events, Dan Ashworth, Newcastle’s director of football, has expressed his desire to become Manchester United’s new sporting director. As a result, Newcastle has placed Ashworth on gardening leave while they navigate this unexpected situation. Ashworth, who joined Newcastle from Brighton in 2022, has a year’s notice clause in his contract, meaning he cannot start working at Old Trafford for another 12 months unless the two clubs come to an agreement.
Ashworth’s interest in joining Manchester United was brought to the attention of the Newcastle hierarchy and manager Eddie Howe last week. The Red Devils are hopeful of securing Ashworth’s services for the summer transfer window, which could prove to be a crucial period for them. With the potential departure of Ashworth looming, Newcastle is looking for a significant compensation payment of well over £10 million. However, Manchester United is confident that they can reach a compromise that would allow Ashworth to start earlier.
Having served as technical director at Brighton, Ashworth’s arrival at Newcastle in 2022 was highly anticipated. During his short time at the club, he played a pivotal role in securing key signings, including a cut-price deal for Nick Pope and a club-record transfer involving Alexander Isak. Additionally, Anthony Gordon was signed from Everton in January 2023 and has enjoyed an outstanding season under Ashworth’s guidance.
Unsurprisingly, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is not pleased with the potential departure of Ashworth. In a recent press conference, Howe expressed his desire for a quick resolution to the situation. He emphasized the importance of stability in a director of football role and acknowledged that it takes time to see the results of their work.
Ashworth’s departure from Newcastle would be a significant loss for the club but a massive coup for Manchester United. His track record of establishing effective structures within clubs is evident from his successful tenure at Brighton and Newcastle. Moreover, his time at the Football Association, where he worked closely with Roy Hodgson and Gareth Southgate, further solidified his reputation as one of the smartest operators in the game.
If Ashworth completes his move to Manchester United, he reportedly plans to bring in Chelsea analyst Kyle Macaulay and Ipswich technical director Sam Williams to bolster the Red Devils’ backroom staff. This potential addition of top talent highlights Ashworth’s commitment to creating a strong football structure wherever he goes.
In conclusion, Dan Ashworth’s desire to join Manchester United has thrown Newcastle into disarray. While the club is seeking a significant compensation payment, Manchester United remains confident that a compromise can be reached. Ashworth’s departure would undoubtedly be a major loss for Newcastle, but it would mark a significant step in his career as he takes on his biggest challenge yet at Old Trafford.