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According to Manchester Evening News, former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth wanted the Red Devils to appoint ex-England manager Gareth Southgate as the new coach instead of Ruben Amorim. Manchester United recently parted ways with Ashworth by mutual consent, just five months after appointing him.
The Red Devils, spearheaded by chief executive officer Omar Berrada, were planning for Amorim before Ashworth joined Manchester United from Newcastle United in June.
The news of Dan Ashworth leaving United surprised many including Gary Neville. A source indicated there had been underlying issues with Ashworth for several weeks. The report claimed that the decision to part ways with the sporting director was confirmed exactly two weeks after Amorim managed his first match against Ipswich Town.
Manchester Evening News also stated the club’s hierarchy referred to their communication at the time of Ruben Amorim’s appointment that it was an agreed-upon decision by the senior club leadership. Apart from Amorim’s arrival, it was also said that Erik ten Hag’s departure in October didn’t sit well with Dan Ashworth.
What Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said about Dan Ashworth after he was appointed as sporting director
Manchester United appointed their inaugural sporting director on July 1 to direct the club’s football business activities in the market. The Red Devils started courting the English sporting director after the latter signaled his intention to leave Newcastle United in February.
As expected, Ashworth took up the vacant role and moved to Old Trafford in a deal package worth up to £3 million. United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said at the time via Manchester Evening News:
“Dan Ashworth is clearly one of the top sporting directors in the world. I have no doubt he is a very capable person. He is interested in Manchester United because it’s the biggest challenge at the biggest club in the world. It would be different at City because you’re maintaining a level. Here it’s a significant rebuilding job. He would be a very good addition."
CEO Omar Berrada was also optimistic about Ashworth’s future at United after the latter joined the club. He said (via Sky Sports):
"I can sense it, and I can also speak for myself, which is I'm very excited and very optimistic at what we have in front of us. I think we're starting to put the right pieces in place and I'm absolutely convinced that we're going to be successful."
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Edited by Samya Majumdar