Dan Ashworth
Dan Ashworth has left his role at United after five months
Newcastle United's former sporting director, Dan Ashworth, has left his job at Manchester United after just 5 months - and Chronicle Live readers in our comments section have had their say on the matter given the controversial manner in which Ashworth left Newcastle earlier this year.
Manchester United pursued Ashworth thinking that he would be the one to herald a new era of sensible transfers at the once-feared North West club. Since the start of his short time in Manchester, the club have been criticised for giving former boss Erik ten Hag a contract extension before making the decision to sack the Dutchman last month, coinciding with a disappointing summer transfer window.
The Red Devils are now in the bottom half of the table, with the arrival of new manager Ruben Amorim failing to give the team a "new manager bounce". Ashworth has left the club by "mutual agreement", according to a statement.
Chronicle Live readers have now had their say, claiming Ashworth abandoned a good long-term project at Newcastle United. Commenter Magwest49 says: "Not quite the ‘Golden Boy’ people thought then… what goes around comes around, karma and all that.”
Reader Ajl75 added: “His reputation is shot. Imagine employing him now to oversee a long-term project, with four jobs in three years on your CV.”
Blubber agreed, they said: “Amorim can do things his way at Old Trafford. That may be wrong, it may be right. Eddie [Howe] can't do things his way at Newcastle. That may be wrong, it may be right. But doing things Ashworth's way can lead to disaster.”
Jollydxb jokes: “Kudos, agent Ashworth... well played sir. Easiest pay packet you will ever earn. Only reason to join Man U nowadays is the inevitable severance package.”
Sav2 says: “Not turning back the clock to the days of ‘Harry Bassett’ management, but I have to wonder whether grafting corporate management structures with ‘Directors of This and That’, Chief Execs, and Senior Assistant Technical Whatsits really works. Jim Ratcliffe must be embarrassed as hell.”
Timbucked2 added: “Set for life by walking out on Brighton, NUFC and then sacked by Man U, all in the space of a couple of years. DoF seems to be one of the greatest non jobs on earth.”
Have your say! Are "sporting directors" a necessary part of modern top-flight football, or should a manager have more say over what goes on at their club? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.