Dan must be replaced by the right man

NEWCASTLE United have coped ‘quite well’ without Dan Ashworth – but Eddie Howe has stressed that the Magpies have to bring in the ‘right’ sporting director to replace him.

It is nearly two months now since Ashworth was placed on gardening leave, but a breakthrough has yet to be reached between Newcastle and Manchester United when it comes to ending the 53-year-old’s lengthy notice period.

Newcastle initially demanded an eight-figure compensation package of up to £20m, which Sir Jim Ratcliffe branded ‘silly’, and the frustrated Manchester United part-owner said it was ‘absurd’ that Ashworth could be out of action for the best part of two years if the Red Devils do not pay up.

As Manchester United attempt to strike a compromise, executive search firm Odgers Berndtson have helped Newcastle with the hunt for Ashworth’s replacement – just as Nolan Partners did when the former Brighton technical director was headhunted back in 2022.

“Naturally, in my opinion, a club this size has to have that role filled,” Howe told reporters when asked whether he would like the appointment to be made ahead of a busy summer. “The club will do everything it can to find the right person to do that.

“In the meantime, we have people in place that are filling that void and doing a very good job I have to say. We have carried on quite well with Dan’s exit and the club’s functioning well at the moment.”

A case in point is Joelinton’s new four-year deal. Ashworth had previously been involved in contract negotiations at Newcastle, but the Magpies managed to reach a breakthrough without the outgoing sporting director to spare the club the headache of trying to find a potential replacement for Joelinton in the summer.

“It certainly allows us to plan with Joe as part of the squad and that is hugely important,” he added.

“He is versatile, can play in different positions and that takes away a bit of the stress in that respect as it means we don’t have to worry about those positions.

“It’s still going to be a slightly difficult summer to plan for. There are a lot of unknowns in the transfer market in January and I think that will carry on into the summer.

“We will see how that plays out. We have our plans, we are preparing for that now.”