The fallout from Dan Ashworth’s exit from Manchester United is still reverberating around Old Trafford and the football world.
Dan Ashworth has departed Manchester United just five months after being appointed as sporting director.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe wielded the axe after talks with trusted advisors, having been left disappointed during Ashworth’s five months as Manchester United sporting director.
And now, details are emerging over Ratcliffe’s discontent with Ashworth, which recently came to a head during the recent managerial search.
Technical director Jason Wilcox and Sporting director Dan Ashworth of Manchester United FC during the Premier League match between Brighton & H...
Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images
Dan Ashworth breakdown
Manchester United’s search for a successor to Erik ten Hag ended up with the Red Devils moving for Ruben Amorim.
The Mail reported how Dan Ashworth wanted Gareth Southgate to take over, while The Athletic claimed that he also recommended Eddie Howe.
Aside from the fact neither are good enough, the whole prospect of another drawn out saga with Newcastle would have only prolonged the spell with an interim boss.
Ratcliffe is claimed to have ‘reacted badly’ to a suggestion from Ashworth that United should outsource the search to a data company.
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This would have incurred extra expense and cost – with Ratcliffe asking why his so-called expert could not deliver the right assessment himself, The Athletic claim.
A separate report from The Guardian claim Ashworth was not convinced by Ruben Amorim’s tactical approach, with Omar Berrada recommending Amorim, who impressed Ratcliffe personally when he met him.
Ashworth interview irritated Ratcliffe
After the transfer window closed, Dan Ashworth and Omar Berrada held a briefing with national newspaper reporters to discuss their start at the club.
Little of note was actually said. Yet the interviews provoked some consternation for Ratcliffe.
The Times reports that Ratcliffe was ‘riled’ by some of Ashworth’s comments in the interview, without specifying what exactly.
While The Athletic wrote that the Ineos chief was ‘irritated’ by the fact it took place in the first place, feeling there was no point in holding such a briefing just weeks into the job. It has not been repeated since.
Unhappy working relationship leads to exit
The summary of all of the above is that Dan Ashworth was not living up to the billing.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe thought he was getting the smartest man in football, and it seems he was less than impressed with the reality.
And how could he not be, when his proposal for next Manchester United manager was Gareth Southgate or Eddie Howe?
It’s little wonder he was marginalised, and United are starting afresh, no matter how bad the optics are.
United have acted decisively this time. It’s not ideal to cut ties with Ashworth – but there are little positives to take away from his reign.
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