Sir Dave Brailsford, Jean-Claude Blanc and Sir Jim Ratcliffe (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford want Dan Ashworth AND Paul Mitchell in a move to ‘completely revamp’ the club’s recruitment department.
United announced on Christmas Eve that the Glazer family had agreed to sell a 25% stake of the club to Ratcliffe for £1.3bn.
The deal, which needs to be ratified by the Premier League in the next six to eight weeks, will give Ratcliffe full control over football operations.
Jean-Claude Blanc will replace Richard Arnold as the club’s new CEO, while Brailsford will be given a hands-on role within the club.
Part of Brailsford’s role will be appointing the club’s first ever sporting director, while he’s reviewing John Murtough’s role as football director as part of a wider audit of the club.
United want Ashworth as Sporting Director(Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Dan Ashworth, currently at Newcastle, had been favourite to be named sporting director given his existing relationship with Ratcliffe, Brailsford and INEOS.
But thei says INEOS are keen on appointing Ashworth alongside Mitchell.
Mitchell made his name at Southampton, where he revamped the Saints’ recruitment. He moved with Mauricio Pochettino to Tottenham, and signed the likes of Heung-Min Son, Dele Alli and Toby Alderweireld.
Mitchell is available. (Photo by VALERY HACHE / AFP) (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
It’s claimed that Mitchell is being lined up for a head of recruitment role, that would allow him the space to work alongside Ashworth as a sporting director.
United have spent more than £400m under Erik ten Hag and they’ve had to sanction several loan transfers due to the club’s poor finances.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, the club have spent around £1.3bn and have failed to win a Premier League title.
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