Dan Ashworth, the sports director of Newcastle, is getting closer to joining Manchester United following his gardening leave.
Dan Ashworth said he was going on a gardening leave of absence from Newcastle after his intention to sign with Manchester United.
Ashworth, 52, is now one step closer to being chosen as the first sporting director at Old Trafford, having been identified by Sir Jim Ratcliffe as his single objective.
In December of last year, The Manchester Evening News revealed that INEOS had decided Ashworth to lead the team’s new football organizational structure.
“We are naturally disappointed that Dan has chosen to leave, however our exciting journey doesn’t stop and the process to recruit a new sporting director will begin immediately,” said Darren Eales, CEO of Newcastle.
“We thank Dan for his efforts at Newcastle United and we wish him and his family well for the future.”
Before starting at United, Ashworth is expected to serve a significant amount of gardening leave—at least a year, according to some reports. Ashworth will be the subject of negotiations between Newcastle and United, and the North East team is expected to demand significant payment for a sports director who just arrived in June 2022.
When Ashworth was appointed, Newcastle was compelled to reimburse Brighton themselves. Ashworth has also held posts with the FA and West Brom.
John Murtough, the director of United football, may be kept in a more administrative capacity, but according to reports, his future under the club’s new power brokers is “in the balance.”
During Ashworth’s tenure at the Amex Stadium, Brighton garnered recognition for their hiring practices, while Newcastle signed players such as Alexander Isak, Sven Botman, Nick Pope, and Tino Livramento. Additionally, Ashworth has been referred to be “Sir Dave Brailsford of INEOS’s close friend and associate.”