Newcastle chief Dan Ashworth is now ‘increasingly likely’ to replace John Murtough as Manchester United’s director of football once Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS complete their long-awaited 25 per cent takeover.
A behind-the-scenes reshuffle might not be the move which gets casual observers labelling INEOS the saviours of Manchester United, but those of you familiar with the often-chaotic inner workings at Old Trafford will welcome a man of Dan Ashworth’s experience, personality and nous with open arms.
Ashworth is one of the most highly-respected figures in English football. He helped transform Newcastle from underachieving also-rans struggling under an uncaring ownership into one of the most upwardly-mobile sides in Europe, and the hope will be that he can work similar miracles at United.
According to the Daily Mail, Ashworth is now ‘increasingly likely’ to get the gig too. The 52-year-old has links with Sir Dave Brailsford – Jim Ratcliffe’s right-hand man. And it appears that Brailsford may be about to get his ‘dream appointment’, Ashworth his number one pick ahead of the likes of Paul Mitchell, Andrea Berta, Lee Congerton, Dougie Freedman and Paolo Maldini.
Dan Ashworth ‘set to replace John Murtough’
“(Brailsford) can be very persuasive,” a source told i News a couple of weeks ago. “Mitchell is the sensible choice – he wants (the job) and is available. But Dave will want his dream appointment.
“And that is Ashworth, who he knows very well.”
Newcastle would be loathe to lose Ashworth, of course, but The Magpies are leaving nothing to chance. The Sun reports that Newcastle are already – and probably rather reluctantly – looking for potential replacements. Eddie Howe could look to reunite with Richard Hughes, who he knows from his time in the Bournemouth dugout.
Ashworth, meanwhile, helped grow his reputation while working with the FA – laying the foundations for an England side who have come closer than any in recent memory to international glory – before playing a role in Brighton’s emergence as a modern-day ‘model club’.
Manchester United nearing director deal
“On my way up to the gantry last night, I bumped into Dan Ashworth,” Man United legend Gary Neville wrote on X after the Red Devils Carabao Cup hammering by Newcastle in November.
“He transformed the FA’s structure, set Brighton up for this incredible period of success and has now built a strong foundation for the new owners at Newcastle. He’s competent, highly qualified and knows what he’s doing. (Ashworth) will work with his coach, recruitment team and other departments coherently and calmly.
“Manchester United have played clubs that have installed proper football departments to support the team on the pitch and off it. The complete opposite of United. We haven’t got a sporting director!
“I used to travel up to Newcastle and feel sorry for their great fans when the energy and enthusiasm had been sapped from them under Mike Ashley. It was painful to see. Last night we saw the Theatre of Dreams turn into the Theatre of Nothing.”
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