Manchester United are on the verge of finalizing Dan Ashworth’s appointment as their new sporting director.
Ashworth, 53, has been on gardening leave since February, having expressed his desire to join Manchester United under Ineos’s revamped leadership at Old Trafford, after leaving Newcastle United.
Previously, there were plans for Ashworth to take Newcastle to arbitration to resolve the deadlock over his move, but recent discussions between the clubs led to an out-of-court settlement. This agreement clears the way for Ashworth to immediately assume his new role.
In a February interview with BBC’s Sports Editor Dan Roan, Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe emphasized that it was impractical for Ashworth to remain inactive for an extended period.
Ashworth, whose career includes stints at West Brom, the Football Association, Brighton, and Newcastle since 2022, has a longstanding professional relationship with Ineos head of sport Sir Dave Brailsford, dating back to their time at the FA.
Ashworth joins an overhauled leadership team at Old Trafford, where Jason Wilcox has recently been appointed technical director from Southampton, and Omar Berrada, a former senior executive at Manchester City, is expected to join as chief executive.
These changes come after Sir Jim Ratcliffe became a minority owner earlier this year, with his Ineos Group assuming control of the club’s football operations following a disappointing season that concluded with the FA Cup triumph. After a board review earlier this month, Erik ten Hag was confirmed to continue as manager.