Speaking after our 4-2 defeat at Liverpool on Monday night, Gary Neville discussed ongoing rumours linking Dan Ashworth with a mid-season move to Manchester United.
It’s believed our sporting director has been identified as a leading target for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, who are eager to oversee a behind-the-scenes revamp at Old Trafford now they’ve secured a 25% stake in the club.
Neville fears the constant links will be ‘unnerving’ Eddie Howe and several others on Tyneside and believes a challenging period for the Newcastle boss could be about to get even tougher if Man Utd chiefs have turned his head.
Ashworth is ‘calming presence’ and the key driver behind the current project at Newcastle, so it would be a major blow to lose him to early; especially to a ‘big six’ rival we are attempting to outgrow. Here’s what Neville’s had to say:
“You mentioned Dan Ashworth. I’ve thought a lot about this in the last couple of weeks. That will be unnerving Eddie Howe and unnerving quite a lot of people at Newcastle because he’s a very calming presence.
“You’d think that he would have a big influence with the owners above. And I think if Eddie Howe is to come through this difficult period, you need a strong sporting director you’ve got the backing of.
“If Dan Ashworth’s head has been turned, and people at (Manchester) United, the new owners have been getting into him about leaving, I think that could mean a more challenging period for Eddie Howe in these next few months.”
Personally, I’d be really dissapointed in Ashworth if he jumped ship barely 18 months into his time at Newcastle. He bought into our long-term project, but won’t stay beyond the short-term if he’s already become tempted by interest from elsewhere.
Mercenary. Brighton never missed him
Then again they never bought Tonali
V(Quote)
He’s already said he’s staying and happy here stop reporting rubbish from other sites that are trying to destabilise us as a club.
Put money on he won’t be leaving to join Manure anytime soon.
@V give ya heed a wobble Brighton are where they are now because of him and as for Tonali how would they know about it. It’s took a police investigation to reveal this something our club was not privy too or would know anything about.
You’re sounding like a mackem or clueless one of the two or both.
Porkpie(Quote)