Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos finalized their 25% takeover of Manchester United on Christmas Eve, subject to Premier League permission, and will now begin to make moves for backstage staff.
The 71-year-old millionaire and his staff appear to be interested in hiring a new football director as well as a sporting director. Dan Ashworth, Newcastle’s technical director, has been the most extensively connected with a move to Old Trafford.
PHOTO:Dan Ashworth
Ashworth just joined Newcastle in February 2022, but he has had a significant influence on Tyneside, leading to ties to Manchester.
Despite the fact that there have been constant ties with a transfer to Old Trafford, Newcastle have not gone out and disputed these claims, and there have even been reports that a move to Old Trafford was becoming ‘increasingly possible’.
Craig Hope revealed on the Daily Mirror’s Q&A why there have been no denials from people at St James’ Park about the future of the 51-year-old, who has been revolutionary wherever he has landed up.
“In short (on why Newcastle haven’t denied the story), because I believe there is a chance he could yet leave for Manchester United,” Hope told Sky Sports.
Nothing has been stated (on or off the record) to put an end to the conjecture, and if anything, there is more talk in football circles about Man United being confident about hiring Ashworth as their next sports director.
“Why would he leave? Perhaps his degree of authority and influence at Newcastle isn’t what he expected, whereas Manchester United may be giving him the keys to the kingdom.”
As previously said, Ashworth has done an outstanding job at St James’ Park, as well as at Brighton & Hove Albion, West Bromwich Albion, and England.
The Englishman has past expertise working as a conductor for all of a football club’s sections, which may be just what the Red Devils want.
Former AS Monaco sports director Paul Mitchell has also been connected, and he might be in charge of the transfer department, with Ashworth supervising everything and ensuring everything runs well.
This might be the change United has been looking for.
Newcastle appear to be preparing for Ashworth’s exit, with the Geordie club already setting up a replacement for the Englishman, according to HITC Football.
