Newcastle has issued a statement confirming that their sporting director, Dan Ashworth, has been put on gardening leave due to interest from Manchester United. The Red Devils are keen on having Ashworth join their team, alongside Sir Jim Ratcliffe and others, as part of significant changes.
Ashworth has expressed his desire to leave Newcastle and take on the challenge of restoring Erik ten Hag’s team to its former success. However, an agreement on the transfer fee between the two clubs has yet to be reached. Newcastle is holding out for around £20 million for Ashworth’s services, a sum that Manchester United has not yet been willing to meet.
As negotiations continue, Ashworth remains on gardening leave, unable to take on a new role until his contract permits in 2026. Newcastle’s CEO, Darren Eales, expressed disappointment at Ashworth’s departure but affirmed the club’s commitment to moving forward and immediately beginning the search for a new sporting director.
