Dan Ashworth’s Premier League tour is poised for another stop with a ‘big six’ side shortlisting the former Newcastle sporting director.
The 53-year-old joined his role with the Magpies from Brighton in June 2022, but was placed on gardening leave in February 2024 ahead of a prompt switch to Manchester United. His exit from Old Trafford was even quicker, receiving a £4m payoff in December just five months into the job.
Ashworth took up a freelance advisory role with Warwickshire County Cricket Club earlier this week, and is now one of five candidates in the running for a swift return to football at a Premier League team currently occupying a Champions League spot.
Ashworth shortlisted by ‘big six’ rivals
Dan Ashworth is under discussion to become Arsenal’s new sporting director just two months after leaving his position with Manchester United, as reported by The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
Edu Gasper resigned from as the Gunners’ sporting director in November to go into business with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who also owns Olympiacos and Rio Ave, with then deputy Jason Ayto being promoted on an interim basis.
Ashworth has built a reputation as one of the most experienced sporting directors in the country, so it’s unsurprising he is being considered for the role, even if his inability to stay in a job has been questioned.
As Ornstein reports, it’s believed Andrea Berta, Roberto Olabe and Thiago Scuro are also being discussed by Arsenal, who plan to make an appointment next month.
Job hopping
If Ashworth lands the Arsenal vacancy after the conclusion of internal talks next month, it will be his FIFTH job within the last three years.
His recent CV includes Newcastle, Brighton, Manchester United and Warwickshire County Cricket Club. He is beginning to develop a reputation as a bit of a job hopper – burning his bridges with the Toon on his way out after sending ‘secret emails’ to confirm he wanted to join Man Utd before asking to leave.
Ashworth’s signings at Manchester United have hardly set the world alight. Big signing Leny Yoro’s time has been marred by injury, while Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee have been far from sensational.
Patrick Dorgu has finally begun to get minutes under his belt. Noussair Mazraoui has been the standout of the bunch, making Ashworth’s legacy far from a standout – adding doubts as to whether he would be the man to take Arsenal to the next level (provided he doesn’t jump ship at the first opportunity anyway).
