𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 | Dan Ashworth has left his role as Manchester United sporting director after just five months

Ashworth officially joined United on July 1 after a lengthy period of gardening leave at his former club Newcastle United, but the transition has not been smooth, leading to a decision about his exit. The situation reflects the complexities often found in high-profile sports roles where expectations may not align with organizational dynamics.

His departure was finalized in a meeting with chief executive Omar Berrada at Old Trafford following United’s Premier League game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening. Notably, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United’s part-owner, played a pivotal role in the decision-making process regarding Ashworth’s exit. However, sources have indicated to The Athletic that the club itself instigated the departure, suggesting a blend of influences in the final outcome.

United has publicly stated that the mutual agreement to terminate Ashworth’s contract marks a cooperative end to his tenure. At 53 years old, Ashworth was brought on board to oversee football performance and recruitment at the club, functioning under Berrada, who recently arrived after a tenure at Manchester City.

During his time at United, Ashworth was involved in a significant £200 million spending spree, which marked a substantial investment in the squad. This included the recruitment of several key players such as Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, and Joshua Zirkzee. Each signing was confirmed with statements that featured quotes from Ashworth, highlighting his active role in the recruitment process.

Moreover, Ashworth was part of the executive team that made the controversial decision to hand Erik ten Hag a new contract, only to dismiss him just a few months later. This decision further illustrates the high-stakes environment in which these executives operate and the rapid shifts that can occur within club management.

His appointment at United was a result of painstaking negotiations with Newcastle, where Ashworth expressed his desire to transition to Old Trafford back in February. He was even open to potentially taking the Tyneside club to arbitration to facilitate his move. Initially, Newcastle sought around £20 million in compensation, but a compromise was ultimately reached, reportedly in the range of £2 million to £3 million.

Ratcliffe’s earlier praise for Ashworth underscores the high expectations surrounding his role. “Dan Ashworth is clearly one of the top sporting directors in the world,” he stated 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.”

Before joining Newcastle, Ashworth had resigned from his role as technical director at Brighton in February 2022 and previously held a similar position with the Football Association. His experiences illustrate the trajectory of a seasoned professional who faced numerous challenges and opportunities in the football industry, ultimately culminating in a tenure at one of the world’s most renowned football clubs.