It’s no secret that Newcastle’s sporting director, Dan Ashworth, is on his way to Man United, and though the Magpies have put the 53-year-old on extended gardening leave, it appears that they’re now keen to get him out of the door.
His departure hasn’t necessarily left a sour taste in the mouth at St. James’ Park, but Eddie Howe and owners, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), understand the need to move on, which they’re unable to do whilst Ashworth is sat in the background.
Newcastle want Dan Ashworth out as soon as practicable
The reason he hasn’t yet begun his new role at Old Trafford is because Newcastle are demanding a compensation figure as high as £20m for his services, something that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has, thus far, refused to pay.
The Telegraph (subscription required) note that the North East giants now want to move quickly to replace Ashworth, with Paul Mitchell being touted as an early favourite.
West Ham’s Tim Steidten, Brentford’s Phil Giles and Tiago Pinto are also mentioned in dispatches as potential candidates.
It appears that Mitchell is the man Newcastle want however, and in order for him to join the club before the summer transfer window, there’ll need to be some negotiation on Ashworth’s compensation figure.