The Athletic have released an in-depth piece on Dan Ashworth this morning, with it now widely reported that our sporting director is keen to seal a move to Manchester United.
One part of the article that caught my eye was a section on behind the scenes issues that have impacted Ashworth’s 18 months on Tyneside.
It’s claimed there’s been ‘moments of friction’ due to Eddie Howe’s ‘already-established authority’, with the former Brighton chief arriving at the club over six months on from Howe’s appointment.
The Athletic also state there’s been a ‘blurring of responsibilities’ and some ‘high expectations’ from Saudi Arabia’s PIF. That said, the piece does add that Ashworth flew out to Riyadh earlier this year to strengthen his relationship with chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
Other reports I’ve read insist there’s been no fallout and that is not what The Athletic are insinuating, but it seems there have been a few behind the scenes issues and a potential power struggle. For example, Craig Hope reported yesterday that Ashworth ‘has not had as much control as he expected at Newcastle.’
As for his potential exit, INEOS are expected to push for a compromise on the compensation package, as they feel Newcastle should not price him out of a move; especially if his ‘situation is not perfect’ at Newcastle. They also argue that a settlement that allows him to join Man Utd immediately can assist on financial fair play regulations, where as we’d be paying him to do very little during gardening leave.
The Athletic also state that our asking price is “very high” due to his status and contract situation, so it remains to be seen if an agreement will be reached in the coming days.
Let them pay whatever we set, they are in no position to start demanding we let him go and for how much ( remind them of Lingard and their actions/demands)
Sean(Quote)
perhaps when you hire a dog to do the barking you shouldn’t bark your self, Dan was hired to do a job to bring us to Brighton financial position, Eddie wanted the players he wanted, so he cant be blamed for anything to do with recruitment, us paying over the top for the likes of Gordon and Branes and Tino and Tonali although he is a champion league finalist, Hall from Chelsea that was all Eddie’s doing, so he cant exactly say he had no say in the matter.
BM London(Quote)
This is an interesting moment for the club. And one we should use as an opportunity. Let’s be honest no club is doing us a favour anywhere, so let’s play power ball.
1. Set a big non-negotiable fee for Ashworth. Maybe add some kind of insurance premium onto the fee as well to take account of the Tonali debacle.
2. NDA him and make him serve 18 months gardening leave. Sue Man U if there is even so much as a hint of a breach of this.
3. But whilst we haggle and be awkward during negotiations we recruit his replacement(s) now and give them slightly different job titles so there is no HR conflict.
I agree he hasn’t been all that great. However, we need to make Man U work very, very hard for this. This is a moment of perception.
Richard Oliver(Quote)
A club’s success reflects onto everybody involved with it from top to bottom. Success is good for a person’s credentials and their CV for future requirements. So with that in mind, I don’t think Ashworth can see a way forward at Newcastle due to FFP but Man U are in a much more favourable financial position for Ashworth to ply his trade which would reflect massively on his reputation and the cub’s success. As well he is a friend of a friend of the boss.
Terry mason(Quote)
How much did they want us to pay yo take Lingard on loan gor 6 months? £10m?
John Morrison(Quote)
He is under contract end of we would not just let a player under contract go for a knocked down price!!! so let’s stick to our guns and play like everyone else in this league that wants us to fail as a club and not get bigger and charge us over the top for players. Don’t just bow down Radcliffe only owns 25% so the yanks still have all the power regardless of what the papers want us to think let them pay the going rate
Rhino(Quote)
Dan ashworth v ten hag v Radcliffe sounds like conflict .., ten hag already saying Dan has to be on the same page as him
Get £10 million put him on gardening leave for a year.. make them pay ..,get someone else better
Mike(Quote)
Not sure about where the heeds are of some of the people making these comments.
If Man U want him and he wants to go what is the point of stirring the 5h1te with them both.
He goes and he goes at a REASONABLE price and next season when January comes round and we need an emergency striker on loan their attitude will be a little more considerate than in the past.
Oh, and Olly, why would Saudi be demanding problems?
BykerBill(Quote)