News of Dan Ashworth leaving his sporting director role at Manchester United has come as a big shock.
Ever since taking sporting control at Old Trafford, Sir Jim Ratcliffe moved quickly to put an elite hierarchy in place behind the scenes.
It started with the arrival of Omar Berrada as CEO but Dan Ashworth was poached from Newcastle to fill the sporting director void.
Manchester United had been crying out for a sporting director and in DanAshworth it seemed as though the Red Devils had appointed one of the world’s best.
United fans were delighted by Ashworth’s appointment, with supporters hoping it spelled an end to the wasteful transfer spending seen under the Glazers.
However, Ashworth has now left United just five months after his appointment, and it seems not everything is going as smoothly as Ratcliffe would have hoped behind the scenes.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s role in Dan Ashworth leaving Man United
Ratcliffe has been full of praise for Ashworth ever since his appointment, hailing him as “one of the top sporting directors in the world” back in February.
However, reports suggest Ratcliffe was “pivotal” in Ashworth’s exit, despite it being described as a mutual decision.
Ashworth was a key player in United’s recruitment over the summer where £200m was spent on five players to join Erik ten Hag’s squad.
United’s directors were ‘unanimous’ in their decision to sack Ten Hag in October, with Ashworth involved in the decision to part ways with the Dutch manager.
It was also reported that Ashworth was a deciding factor in Ruben Amorim’s appointment, although The Athletic claim it was actually Berrada who pushed for the Portuguese head coach.
Man United’s blunt Dan Ashworth statement
Just hours after Ashworth’s exit was reported, United published a statement confirming his departure.
Admittedly, there isn’t much to say about Ashworth’s time given he only spent five months at the club, but the statement was noticeably short and blunt.
It read: “Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as Sporting Director of Manchester United by mutual agreement.
READ MORE: Dan Ashworth exit makes controversial Sir Jim Ratcliffe decision even more embarrassing
“We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during a transitional period for the club and wish him well for the future.”
In just 41 words, United have cut out someone who was once seen as a key part of the club’s future. It marks the relentless approach that Ineos have taken to running the club, but perhaps suggests that there is a lack of harmony behind the scenes.
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