Dan Ashworth can take Man Utd to next level after frustrating Newcastle stint

15 February 2024 , 12:00

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Dan Ashworth has been with Newcastle since the summer of 2022 (Image: Serena Taylor/Getty Images)

Dan Ashworth was asked if he was happy with Newcastle United’s progress during a 40-minute chat in November - and there was a hint of frustration.

“I'm genuinely pleased but I'm also one of those people who is a perfectionist so there are some days where you drive away thinking we haven't made as much progress as I would have liked…”

To recall the famous Kevin Keegan comments, perhaps the job wasn’t quite what it said on the tin. It became clear in December there was indeed frustration. Minority shareholder Amanda Staveley was very hands on negotiating big deals, witnessed in the club documentary when she thrashed out the signing of Anthony Gordon, “principal to principal” as it was termed behind the scenes.

And nothing big happens at Newcastle without sign off from 80 per cent owners the PIF, and the paymasters in Riyadh. And that takes time. Head coach Eddie Howe has a big influence on transfers, and his nephew Andy Howe is head of technical scouting. His inner circle of coaches were in place eight months before Ashworth arrived.

Ashworth said he agreed to join Newcastle from Brighton on February 2, 2022, and started work after “gardening leave” the next May, saying he liked to refresh and renew his employment in six-year cycles. “But sometimes in life an opportunity comes along where you just go, 'Blimey, it's just too good to turn down'.” So, after less than two years with the Saudis, that “too good to turn down” turned out to be Manchester United and to work with his big ally Dave Brailsford.

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What does that say about Manchester United, Newcastle United, and the Saudi quest to be No1 and rule the Premier League?

It means Ashworth sees more potential for transformation, greater influence, and a clearer working environment at Old Trafford. And yes, this is football, so probably a pay rise too.

Dan Ashworth worked closely with Newcastle boss Eddie Howe (Getty Images)

Newcastle are restricted by Profit and Sustainability Rules. They can’t get Saudi cash into the club and onto the pitch quick enough to close the gap between the Toon and Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal. Manchester United have a turnover TREBLE that of Newcastle, and therefore a much bigger scope to buy better.

Asked about doing big deals last year, Ashworth told North-East reporters: “I feel pressure on every transfer and I have done for 16 years. “I am spending someone else’s money and I want to do the best job I can for that person, football club and those supporters.”

Manchester United could do with that ethos after their chaotic and expensive splurges of recent years.

But here’s the bitter blow to Newcastle, should Ashworth quit. He was still at the centre of his famous wheel and spokes on Tyneside this week. Presumably fully appraised of Newcastle’s transfer targets and who the scouting team thinks is good value and available in the summer. He’s in possession of all the Toon’s transfer and business secrets.

And he is poised to walk out to one of their main top-four rivals. That’s a huge blow, and an embarrassment to the Saudi owners who would have expected more loyalty from their big, club-building hire. No amount of “transfer fee” compensation, up to £10m is mooted, can disguise that.

Jim Ratcliffe speaks with Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford (Getty Images)

Red Devils legend Gary Neville cheekily floated their need for Ashworth back in November when he tweeted they’d said hello at Old Trafford: “He transformed the FA’s structure, set Brighton up for this incredible period of success and has now built a strong foundation for the new owners at Newcastle. He’s competent, highly qualified and knows what he’s doing. Will work with his coach, recruitment team and other departments coherently and calmly.”

His friendship with INEOS sports chief Dave Brailsford is also key. Indeed Brailsford was invited in to give the Newcastle players a talk last year. Ashworth explained his principles in an executive box at St James’ last year. He is big on creating a “culture”, with the personality of the player vital. He asks questions like: what are they like as people? How can we make them better, and improve the team? Body language is studied before they buy. How do they warm up with team mates. How do they celebrate a goal? In fact in every aspect of their personality: How do they connect with people around them?

These are values Manchester United will benefit from.

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Gary Neville tipped Dan Ashworth for the Old Trafford role in November (Getty Images)

But there were also signs that he knew how difficult it would be turning Newcastle into “No1”, the aim of Saudi PIF chief Yasir Al Rumayyan. Ashworth said of his Toon project: “I don’t think there is a ceiling. The reason I’m pausing is I know how good some of the other clubs are. If you look at Man City, Arsenal and how good their squads are, their infrastructure and what they’ve done over the years – they’re some clubs to catch. It’s a really difficult job to catch those. Some of those clubs have been a global brand for decades ”

Of course, for all his qualities, Ashworth oversaw the biggest transfer cock up of the Saudi regime. The signing of Sandro Tonali for £54m, only for the Italian to be swiftly banned for 10 months for breaking betting rules before Milan sold him. How did Newcastle not know? Have they been turned over by Milan? Ashworth faced the music and told us: “I think everyone was as surprised as we were that this was going to come out.”

But there is one quote from the lengthy interviews we’ve done with Ashworth on Tyneside that stands out. “If you start to stand still in professional sport, you're stuffed. It's about keep pushing, keep pushing, keep driving…”

And that means driving off to Old Trafford. It’d be a big victory for Sir Jim Ratcliffe over an upstart rival.

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Simon Bird