Following one of the most drawn-out pursuits in recent history, Dan Ashworth departs his Manchester United sporting director role after five months.
The news broke this morning via The Athletic, with confirmation that the 53-year-old’s exit was agreed with chief executive Omar Berrada at Old Trafford following Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Furthermore, the report states Sir Jim Ratcliffe was pivotal in the call to part company, with the final decision agreed on a mutual understanding.
Off the back of a controversial judgement to target supporters with ticket price hikes, this move will generate much worry and bemusement regarding the state of affairs at the home of the 20-time English champions.
“Truthfully, I’m just embarrassed.”
Having officially joined Manchester United on July 1 after a hideously long gardening period, Ashworth was paraded as an example of the ‘best-in-class’ structure to be introduced by Ineos.
Spearheaded alongside Sir Dave Brailsford, Ratcliffe set about installing a unique framework of sporting excellence with the highly-regarded ex-FA man overseeing football performance, recruitment and operations – answerable to Berrada.
Jason Wilcox was another addition as technical director and reported to the former Newcastle chief as part of his duties. Notably, all three executives were happy to maintain trust in former manager Erik ten Hag.
A designated summer transfer window was then delivered by Ashworth, with a significant sum spent on the acquisitions of Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.
Per this morning’s report, Ratcliffe is on record praising the former sporting director. “Dan Ashworth is clearly one of the top sporting directors in the world,” said United’s co-owner in February.
“I have no doubt he is a very capable person. He is interested in Manchester United because it’s the biggest challenge at the biggest club in the world.
“It would be different at City because you’re maintaining a level. Here it’s a significant rebuilding job. He would be a very good addition.”
Evidently, matters have not materialised in the desired fashion and his departure leaves an unquestionably embarrassing situation for an ownership that has already attracted notable criticism in recent months.
Multiple sources have unearthed that United chiefs instigated this ‘mutual separation’ that will undoubtedly send shockwaves across the club.
Individuals close to the club are flabbergasted by developments, with one who prefers to remain anonymous offering a damning report on matters.
“This is not my football club anymore,” they told the Theatre of Red.
“I can’t recognise what is happening and don’t want to accept it either. I appreciate the nature of the task at hand for the new owners, but why target the lifeblood of the club?
“I spoke with Dan only a couple of times, but the general feeling around the place was that he is part of a new process that will require time and understanding. I wish I could tell you why this happened, but I can’t.
“Truthfully, I’m just embarrassed.”
Ironically, Ashworth completed the same amount of time working in the North West as Ratcliffe and Co. waited to announce him. Moreover, the compensation fee to Newcastle was somewhere between £2 to £3 million.
It is anything but amusing when struggling families are forced to accept £66 ticket prices in measures to accommodate a suitable financial injection for the club.
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2 responses to “Dan Ashworth leaves Manchester United sporting director role”
It’s mental, I’m seeing people say he’s getting the axe for keeping ETH, for having more ambitions than Ratcliffe and arguing with him over it, and for overspending on ‘flops’ like Zirkzee De Ligt and Ugarte.
Ratcliffe is supposed to be leaving football decisions to football people, yet all signs are that he pushed for this change.
It leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
There is a lot of disenchantment at the moment, Anthony. Having moved to swap Ten Hag for Amorim, the steps taken afterwards have altered any form of positivity generated.