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Newcastle United supporters had the last laugh when Dan Ashworth’s shock exit was announced on social media.
A five-month public tussle involving the sporting director turned ugly earlier this year. Sir Jim Ratcliffe earmarked Ashworth as the man to lead Manchester United’s new revolution early into his tenure as minority owner.
Billed as one of the best in the game, Ashworth’s exit was murky. From name-calling to leaked emails and even potential arbitration, the ordeal left a sour taste around Newcastle.
But the 53-year-old is already out of work just five months - the same time he spent on gardening leave at Newcastle as the two clubs debated a compensation package - into his reign at Old Trafford. A brief club statement confirmed his departure and was met with laughter and bemusement in Toon corners.
"Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as sporting director of Manchester United by mutual agreement,” the announcement read. “We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during a transitional period for the club and wish him well for the future.”
ESPN claim Ratcliffe pulled the trigger after quickly “becoming unimpressed” with Ashworth. Concerns over whether he possesses the personality or skill set to operate as a key cog in the Old Trafford boardroom.
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A ruthless decision to pull the trigger came as “damage limitation” following the 3-2 home defeat to Nottingham Forest. Ratcliffe was left disappointed by Ashworth’s summer recruitment, which saw the Red Devils spend £180million on five players and only Noussair Mazraoui has impressed.
From Ashworth’s end, he was also not behind Ruben Amorim’s appointment, a decision mainly made by CEO Omar Berrada. He expressed disdain about his three-at-the-back system being deployed throughout the club.
The news has raised eyebrows and further questions about Ratcliffe’s proposed revival at Man United. It appears to be another major U-turn, with Erik ten Hag’s fabled contract extension in the summer now a Premier League laughing stock.
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