Man Utd 'explored possibility of hiring Dan Ashworth as tech director'

Man United ‘explored the possibility of hiring Dan Ashworth as technical director before outgoing Brighton chief chose Newcastle’ – as Red Devils continue boardroom shake up

  • Dan Ashworth will be joining Newcastle as their technical director in November
  • Ashworth is currently serving out his gardening leave notice at Brighton 
  • Manchester United made contact with Ashworth before he joined Newcastle 

Newcastle United-bound technical director Dan Ashworth was reportedly a target of Manchester United’s before he decided to join the Magpies.

Ashworth, who resigned as Brighton’s technical director in February, is currently being made to see out his notice period – meaning it is likely to be November before he arrives at St James’ Park.

However, it has emerged that before quitting Brighton the 51-year-old was on Manchester United’s radar as they look to restructure their own hierarchy.

Dan Ashworth was a reported target of Manchester Untied to join their backroom staff

According to the Athletic, there was contact from the Red Devils to Ashworth over a possible switch to Old Trafford.

The publication adds that it was not a formal offer or interview but United sounded out Ashworth to see if a deal could be done.

A sticking point though was how Ashworth would have fit into United’s backroom structure. The Red Devils have John Murtough promoted from head of football development to football director and ex-midfielder Darren Fletcher from academy coach to technical director.

At Newcastle, Ashworth’s role is clearer with the Magpies wanting him to have greater control.

Ashworth will be joining Newcastle in November once his gardening leave at Brighton is over

As revealed by Sportsmail earlier this month though, Newcastle are still locked in negotiations with Brighton over releasing Ashworth early from his gardening leave period – with the latter demanding £5million.

Sportsmail understands there is frustration on Newcastle’s part that they have been unable to reach a compromise and install the man who will oversee the club’s restructuring.

However, the Saudi-backed owners – led in the UK by Amanda Staveley and her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi – will not pay what they believe to be inflated prices, be that for players or staff. There is a precedent of Everton paying around £2m in compensation when director of football Steve Walsh joined from Leicester in 2016.

Head coach Eddie Howe is prepared to fill some of the void in Ashworth’s absence, primarily when it comes to recruitment, as he did during a successful January window.




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