NEW DELHI: Newcastle United have announced that Sporting Director Dan Ashworth has opted to step down from his role, leading the Premier League club to place him on gardening leave. The decision comes amid strong speculation linking the highly-regarded 52-year-old with a potential move to Manchester United, following British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe's recent acquisition of a 25% stake in the Old Trafford side.
Ashworth, who took on the role at Newcastle in 2022 after serving as the technical director at Brighton & Hove Albion, is believed to be a key target for Manchester United.
The impending departure marks a significant loss for Newcastle, and CEO Darren Eales expressed disappointment while emphasizing the club's commitment to its ongoing journey.
"We are naturally disappointed that Dan has chosen to leave, however our exciting journey doesn't stop, and the process to recruit a new sporting director will begin immediately," stated Eales in an official statement. "We thank Dan for his efforts at Newcastle United, and we wish him and his family well for the future."
During his tenure at St James' Park, Ashworth played a pivotal role in several notable signings, including Swedish forward Alexander Isak, Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali, and wingers Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes. His impact on the club's recruitment strategy has been widely acknowledged.
Prior to his time at Newcastle, Ashworth held the position of technical director at the Football Association, further establishing his reputation in football administration and development.
With the Premier League club beginning the search for a new sporting director, the football world will be keenly watching to see if Ashworth makes the speculated move to Manchester United, potentially shaping the future landscape of football management in England.
(Inputs from agencies)
Stay updated with the latest from IPL Auction 2025, including the final squads of all 10 teams – MI, CSK, RCB, GT, RR, KKR, DC, PBKS, SRH, and LSG. Don't miss the latest updates on our Live Cricket Score page.The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
Read MoreThe TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide.
From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more.
The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics.
We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects.
We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.
Read Less
Start a Conversation
Post comment