As reported by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Dan Ashworth is taking Newcastle to an arbitration hearing in order to push through his move to Manchester United.
The sporting director was placed on gardening leave back in February when he opted to leave for Old Trafford, but the two clubs are yet to strike an agreement over a compensation package that would allow him to start work with the Red Devils.
It emerged earlier this week that the clubs remain far apart in their valuation of Ashworth, with Newcastle wanting at least £15m while Man United are only willing to pay £2m. As a result, it seems the 53-year-old isn’t happy with the way negotiations are going and plans to force through the move ahead of his contracted period of gardening leave.
Ashworth would be on gardening leave for the next 18 months should the clubs fail to agree a deal. The fact this is looking increasingly likely appears to have triggered the former Brighton man into action, seeing him push for an arbitration hearing where a third party will settle the matter in court.
Reporting on the hearing – set to take place in the first few weeks of May – The Telegraph state that Newcastle are confident they have a strong case against their former employee.
Fingers crossed this blows back up in the face of Ashworth, Ratcliffe and Man Utd, who seem to forget that you can’t just walk out of a contract and waltz into a new job without paying up.
Not privy to the contents of his contract with Newcastle , but maybe manchester should have carried out due dilligence and understood that clauses and costs would be incurred before making cloak and dagger approach to a competitors employee who has inside information approaching a critical summer for Newcastle , do you really think Newcastle would not try to block this damaging scenario by invoking the terms of the conteact that mr Asworth willingly signed up to ?
David Carey(Quote)
BykerBill:-
Unfortunately with Big business there is no honour or decency no matter what contracts are signed.
And this is just another example.
Joseph(Quote)
If the release clause in his contract isn’t met then that’s that. Can’t see how this can even go to arbitration . He signed the contract and Man utd have been made aware of it, end of story.
If I were Dan I’d be pretty concerned that having been tapped up publicly by Man utd and agreeing to go there they now don’t value him enough to pay his worth. Would they let one of their key personal or players go for less than their release clause ?
kimtoon(Quote)
I love the hypocrisy shown by Newcastle. They did the exact same thing when they took Ashworth from Brighton and paid a reported £4m in compensation. The £20m fee wanted by Newcastle is ridiculous.
Paul(Quote)
Hypocrisy? We paid the fee Brighton demanded after he went on gardening leave.
Yes, we have lofty demands for Ashworth, but he’s been a key member of staff and hasn’t long joined, so his contractual situation is very different.
It’s also not up to Man Utd how much we demand. His valuation is up to us, not Ratcliffe or INEOS. So you either pay our asking price or wait until the end of 2025. A court hearing seems odd when Ashworth knows the contract he signed at NUFC. If Man Utd want to end that early, they pay the fee. If not, you wait.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Hear Hear! Olly
Why should we be bullied by that lot.
Joseph(Quote)
Paid £6 million and Man U are offering £2 million are you mad ?
Richard Blair(Quote)
Paid the compensation BHFC wanted and waited x months to start. Obviously after approaching BHFC in the correct manner too. Apples and pears
David(Quote)