The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Hefty compensation if Ashworth moves on
MAN UTD COULD SWOOP FOR MAGPIES’ SPORTING DIRECTOR
NEWCASTLE United will be entitled to a hefty compensation package if Manchester United attempt to snare sporting director Dan Ashworth to Old Trafford.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 25% stake of Man United and Sir David Brailsford’s arrival at the club has left Newcastle and their fanbase wondering if talk of an official approach is about to materialise.
INEOS, the company backing the new investment at Man United, have Sir David Brailsford as their director of sport, with the leading figure a close associate and friend of Ashworth.
A Man United statement read: “Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of 25 per cent of Manchester United FC, and further investment of $300million in the club, has been approved by the Premier League Board following the completion of the Owners’ and Directors’ Test (OADT).
“The Board agreed to the change of the club’s ownership structure last week, and this has now been officially ratified by an Independent Oversight Panel.”
Ashworth’s future looks set to be decided next one way or another, with Newcastle well aware of the exbrighton supremo being linked to Man United.
Eddie Howe himself was asked the question on Ashworth’s future before Christmas and said: “I’ve got no doubt that Dan is here for the long-term, but it’s probably a question for Dan rather than me.”
But those questions heading in Ashworth’s way have never been answered. Ashworth has remained under contract and at this stage has not offered to walk away from Newcastle but things could change if Man United make their move.
Ashworth was sent out to face questions on Sandro Tonali’s global ban after overseeing the £55million signing from AC Milan last summer after Howe became bombarded with questions about the shape and methods of the football department at Newcastle.
Back then, Ashworth was asked about Man United and glowing comments from Gary Neville about his suitability for a role at Old Trafford.
The 52-year-old said: “He’s written some very kind things and thank you Gary. “(My future is) same situation as Eddie, I think. I’m really happy, it’s a brilliant city, club and project.
“I’m thoroughly engaged in throwing myself into all of those things and really enjoying the challenge.”
Initially at Newcastle, Ashworth involved Brailsford at Newcastle during pre-season and said: “I’ve known Sir Dave for a number of years, working across various different sports and he is without doubt the best in world sport at creating high-performance culture and turning that into winning.
“There were some brilliant messages for us all and it was great to get him in at this point of pre-season.”
But that was in 2022, and since then Howe has very much become the central figure on Tyneside with fans even comparing him with Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson. Ashworth drafted in head of psychology Dr Ian Mitchell but Howe explained that this was not a first-team role during Newcastle’s poor recent run and stated: “That can always be overreported. The psychologist came in to work with the whole football club. It is such a broad role.
“Nothing has changed in terms of the dynamics of how we work with the players.” United would be entitled to a seven-figure compensation fee for Ashworth and, like his immediate exit at Brighton, he would be expected to go on gardening leave.
‘I’ve got no doubt that Dan is here for the long-term, but it’s probably a question for Dan rather than me.
Eddie Howe