With Dan Ashworth placed on gardening leave, it is only a matter of time before he becomes sporting director at Manchester United.
According to The Telegraph, Manchester United have made a formal approach to Newcastle for Ashworth.
Newcastle announced in a statement this afternoon that Ashworth had formally commended a period of gardening leave after signally his wish to ditch St. James’ Park for Old Trafford.
Ashworth will take up a similar sporting director role at United, although under INEOS it is understood that he will have even more power than he had at Newcastle.
The complications of state ownership in football, eh? The list just grows.
James Ducker from The Telegraph adds: “It is understood that Ashworth’s contractually-agreed period in which he is unable to work for another top Premier League is twice as long as initially thought and that he could be prevented from taking up a role as United’s director of football until 2026.”
I suspect United and INEOS will be patient on this matter, but not willing to wait two years to get their man, even if he is their No. 1 target.
When Newcastle took Ashworth from Brighton, he was placed on a three-month period of gardening leave.
The Reds have already made a shock appointment in recent times with Omar Berrada announcing that he will be joining the club from Man City.
INEOS want to hire the best in class for United. Nothing below that standard will do and that will excite fans about the future.
Subscribe to the Stretty News podcast Strettycast for weekly episodes on Manchester United. You can also sign up to the ad-free Stretty Newsletter. Get the Stretty News verdict on all matters Manchester United.
