Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has expressed concerns about sporting director Dan Ashworth potentially joining Manchester United and taking with him knowledge of the club’s transfer plans and recruitment information.
Ashworth is in talks to join Manchester United from Newcastle, and with the incoming shareholders INEOS looking to appoint him as the club’s first-ever sporting director. With a successful track record at West Bromwich Albion, Brighton & Hove Albion, and now Newcastle, Ashworth has earned recognition as one of football’s top talent-spotters.
During a press conference ahead of Newcastle’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, Howe addressed the worry of losing Ashworth to a rival like Manchester United, given his insights into the club’s transfer strategies and contract negotiations. Howe acknowledged the relevance of these concerns, stating, “I share your opinion. The work never stops, and recruitment is a 365-day job. It never sleeps, and the processes are unchanged.”
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Acknowledging that Ashworth possesses significant intelligence and information about Newcastle’s plans, Howe described the situation as slightly unusual. He expressed a desire for a quick resolution but admitted it was not within his control. Despite the potential departure of Ashworth, Howe emphasized the strength of the club’s other departments and their commitment to continuing their processes.
Howe also noted that most of Newcastle’s successful recruitment occurred before Ashworth took control, and the sporting director allowed existing structures to continue. While acknowledging the difficulty of losing someone in Ashworth’s role, Howe emphasized the club’s ambition, strong personnel, and ongoing commitment to successful recruitment. He underscored that the club would move forward even if Ashworth departs, expressing confidence in its future success.