Newcastle United put Dan Ashworth on gardening leave, and the team is now looking for a new sporting director.
Tiago Pito, the former sporting director of Roma, has expressed his interest in a role at Newcastle United if the club’s search for a sporting director leads them to consider him. The current sporting director of Newcastle, Dan Ashworth, was put on gardening leave last month due to interest from Manchester United. Pito has indicated his openness to taking on the role if offered the opportunity by Newcastle United.
CEO Darren Eales has affirmed that Newcastle has initiated the search for Dan Ashworth’s replacement, and numerous names have already been associated with a potential move to Tyneside. Among those linked were former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards and Bournemouth’s Richard Hughes. However, recent developments suggest that both Edwards and Hughes are now anticipated to collaborate at Liverpool in the post-Jurgen Klopp era at Anfield.
Pinto, on the other hand, departed AS Roma in January, concluding a three-year tenure. During his time there, Pinto appointed fellow countryman Jose Mourinho as the team’s manager, leading them to secure the Europa Conference League title in 2022 for the Italian capital.
In an interview with the i, Pinto acknowledged his interest in a role at Newcastle United, stating, “If a big club like Newcastle asks to speak to you, of course you’re interested.” He expressed his familiarity with the club’s history, citing Sir Bobby Robson’s significant influence in Portugal, which drew his attention to Newcastle. Pinto mentioned his admiration for the club and the passion associated with it, further indicating his openness to the opportunity.
Pinto commended the impressive work carried out by Newcastle’s new ownership, highlighting their strategic approach that transformed the club from a relegation battle to a Champions League contender. He expressed his recognition of the immense potential at Newcastle and, while unsure about the validity of the interest, conveyed his sentiment that it would be difficult for anyone to decline involvement in such a promising project.
If there’s genuine interest from Newcastle United in bringing Pinto on board, it’s likely that speculation about Mourinho potentially joining Tyneside will intensify. Mourinho, the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager, has been consistently linked with a move to Newcastle throughout his career, gaining even more attention when he left Roma earlier in the year.
While Eddie Howe’s position as head coach is reportedly secure, the mere presence of Mourinho, especially during his periods of unemployment, tends to attract ongoing reports and speculation. Pinto, having worked closely with Mourinho, shed light on the day-to-day experience, acknowledging the demanding nature of collaborating with someone of such a significant profile, highlighting Mourinho’s high standards due to his extensive achievements.
Remember that I’m Portuguese and that I began working with him at the age of 36. It is not feasible for a young sporting director to collaborate with Mourinho in a typical manner.
Pinto shared insights into his experience working with Mourinho, emphasizing the substantial knowledge he gained. Acknowledging Mourinho as one of the most significant managers in football history, Pinto recognized the cyclical nature of football relationships where agreements and disagreements are inherent. Despite any differences, Pinto emphasized the undeniable and considerable impact Mourinho had during his time at Roma, underscoring the manager’s importance in the sport.