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Eddie Howe has praised Dan Ashworth for his role at Newcastle United - rebuffing suggestions of an internal rift.
Toon chiefs placed the sporting director on gardening leave in February following an approach from Manchester United. With billionaire tycoon Sir Jim Ratcliffe fronting a new era at Old Trafford, Ashworth was headhunted for a job.
The 53-year-old had an awkward exit as Newcastle played hardball over his compensation fee. An eventual move took place in July - with Man United’s payment undisclosed - but not without rumours of a rift.
The Times reported in May that Ashworth claimed Howe made his position on Tyneside untenable due to comments made at a press conference. Howe responded to a question by suggesting the former sporting director having access to transfer plans would be a concern.
However, the Toon boss has now opened up about their positive relationship, discrediting tension between the pair. He told Simon Jordan on the Up Front podcast: “He is a really smart guy (who is) very well organised. Dan’s biggest strength is he looks at things from top to bottom.
“He is a really good problem-solver and will work his way through things from a structural viewpoint and then rebuild them. I got on really well with him, got on well with him and I was sad to see him go. But I also understood his viewpoint and wish him well.”
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Howe also defused worries about a tense relationship with Ashworth’s replacement, Paul Mitchell. The 43-year-old’s frosty media briefing in September following a poor transfer window appeared to drive a wedge between the two.
“It’s got to be teamwork,” Howe added. “There’s got to be collaboration and I know Paul feels the same way. I know there was a lot of noise in the summer and, again, I understand it is the media’s job to blow everything up.
“The reality is, internally, it wasn’t like that. We’re forming a new relationship. I’m not going to shy away from standing up or protecting our transfer business. It’s been excellent recruitment, I love the players we have. It’s difficult for me to comment on what Paul meant, only he can articulate that.”
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