Dan Ashworth has accepted Manchester United’s offer (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Newcastle United’s Dan Ashworth has accepted Manchester United’s offer to become the club’s first ever sporting director.
INEOS, headed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, had identified Ashworth as the leading candidate to oversee the sporting side of the business at Old Trafford.
Ashworth has risen through the ranks, starting at West Brom and moving onto the FA.
It was at Brighton that Ashworth did his best work, overseeing moves for Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and Marc Cucurella.
That earned him a move to St James’ Park in 2022 but Fabrizio Romano says he couldn’t turn down Manchester United and has accepted the club’s offer.
Ashworth could simply resign, but he would have to serve a 12-month notice period.
United want Ashworth in place for the summer transfer window and they will have to negotiate a figure with Newcastle to release him from his post.
Ashworth has a significant release clause (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
That figure will come on top of a significant compensation package, which is believed to be around £6m.
Omar Berrarda, who will arrive from Manchester City as the club’s new CEO, is believed to have signed off a move for Ashworth.
The club will then look to appoint a head of recruitment and a new head of scouting.
Ratcliffe’s deal is expected to be confirmed on the New York Stock Exchange next week after the Premier League and FA granted approval for his £1.3bn investment.
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