In his first interview with the club, Dan Ashworth has revealed how he plans to “drive the transfer window in the next three months” following “several” conversations with manager Eddie Howe.
The newly appointed sporting director has a big summer on his hands, but new signings as well as managing a host of much needed outgoings are clearly high up on his list of priorities.
In terms of his role at St James’ Park, the 51-year-old elaborated on how he plans to “connect” all departments of the club together to bring about a “cohesive way of working.”
He stated that he intends to hold conversations with Howe as well as head of recruitment Steve Nickson, academy manager Steve Harper, loan manager Shola Ameobi and the medical staff.
The former Brighton man also joked that Howe was “probably sick of me already” after the pair held numerous discussions in preparations for the transfer window and new season.
Here’s the interview with NUFC TV, followed by a few key snippets we’ve transcribed:
Dan Ashworth on his first impressions and why he took the job:
“Delighted to be here.
“The size of the club really hits home. I’m really excited and delighted to be here.
“I’ve been in football for a long time and every time you come here, you can’t help but notice the passion and enthusiasm of the supporters and the atmosphere within the ground.
“It’s a monster of a football club and a fantastic place to come and work with some wonderful people.“
Ashworth on his role at the club:
“My job is to sit in the middle of the wheel and just connect the different departments of the club and align everything as best I can.
“I will try and make sure we’ve got a cohesive way off working, we can pull our resources together, have one plan to try and support the needs of the club going forward.
“So it’s to drive all of the football areas of the club, bring them together and get everyone working to the same song, to the same vision and the same mission and try to get the club up to where we all want to be.”
Ashworth’s on short term priorities:
“We’re about to start a transfer window, so there’s a lot of things on the to-do list there, with players in, players out, players moving around and some of the things Eddie wants to do with the first-team squad.
“Then within time, it’s trying to understand the medical department, the Academy, loans and the women’s team.
“But he two most important things for now are to try and get to know the staff and how the club functions and then, short term, try and drive the transfer window in the next three months.”
Ashworth on Eddie Howe:
“I’ve spoken to Eddie several times since I’ve started.
“He’s away on holiday but I have spoken to him – he’s probably sick of me already!
“We’ve never worked together, but we’ve come across each other on several occasions.
“He’s a man I admire a lot and I have a great deal of respect for and he’s done a wonderful job so far.”
Ashworth on the women’s team:
“Hopefully we can get them into the higher leagues.
“The women’s team is an important part of the club and hopefully we can help drive their aspirations and try and get them to a level we’d like them to be.
“People think the job is all about recruitment for the men’s team. It isn’t.
“It’s a big part, of course, but it’s also about getting everyone working together from a technical point of view.
