Manchester United have agreed a deal with Newcastle United to appoint Dan Ashworth as their sporting director.
Ashworth’s move to Old Trafford was delayed by the clubs struggling to compromise on a compensation package.
But more than four months after he was placed on gardening leave and it looked as though an independent hearing would be needed to break the deadlock, Ashworth’s switch has now been sanctioned.
The 53-year-old is expected to commence his position in the new-look Manchester United structure with immediate effect.
Ashworth intended to take Newcastle to arbitration to help facilitate his move with, as reported by The Athletic, Manchester United supporting his bid and pledging to pay his legal costs.
He is set to have overall responsibility for football performance, recruitment and operations at the 20-time champions of England, with technical director Jason Wilcox reporting to him.
Ashworth will himself report into Sir Dave Brailsford, who Ratcliffe has tasked with undertaking a review of the United’s football operations.
Former football director John Murtough stepped down in April after a decade’s service, paving the way for Ashworth’s appointment.
He will become the latest high-profile appointment under Ratcliffe. Omar Berrada is scheduled to arrive as chief executive from Manchester City later this month, while Wilcox’s arrival as technical director was confirmed in April.
Ashworth joined Newcastle United after resigning from his post as technical director at Brighton & Hove Albion in February 2022.
He moved to Brighton in 2019 following a spell as technical director at the Football Association — where he started in 2012 after a spell with West Bromwich Albion — and helped develop the men’s and women’s national teams.
He was credited with playing an influential role in England’s World Cup victories at under-17 and under-20 level in 2017.
Ashworth has generated a strong reputation in areas such as player recruitment and the building of high-performance structures.
(Photo: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
