Manchester United called an abrupt end to the Dan Ashworth era, parting ways with the sporting director after five months.
United’s statement confirming Ashworth’s departure highlighted how the smooth Ineos machine we hoped would operate behind the scenes, was not working out as intended.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe was unhappy with various aspects of Ashworth’s input, including his recommended shortlist of managers.
It is a sharp fall from grace for the man who officially began work as Manchester United’s first ever sporting director back in July.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, owner of Manchester United, Sir Dave Brailsford, head of sport for INEOS, Omar Berrada, Chief Executive officer of Manchester Un...
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand on Dan Ashworth
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand presented his theory on why Dan Ashworth did not last in the job at the club, despite arriving with a big reputation and proven track record.
Ferdinand told his YouTube channel that the structure implemented by Ineos was simply not the one Ashworth was familiar with.
He explained: “You have to remember that the jobs where he’s been before, and he’s been hugely successful, whether it be at Brighton, West Brom, Newcastle or with England with the FA, he’s kind of been a lone ranger, on his own, the main guy dictating and having final say on a lot of things that goes on.
“That was a very different situation at United where you’ve got Wilcox and Berrada there, who are heading up the football operations together as a three.
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“And then overriding that, Sir David Brailsford and Sir Jim Ratcliffe. So its a committee approach rather than one man making the decisions, maybe Dan Ashworth couldn’t get to grips with that and wanted autonomy over everything, he wanted his finger prints over everything.
“If I’m looking in, my honest opinion is that its a different way of working for him and he hasn’t been able to maybe adjust to it.”
United keeping options open
Ferdinand’s comments may hold weight, it was a different way of working and Ashworth’s recommendations for manager were not acted upon. From that point, his importance would have dwindled.
United’s dilemma now is to establish whether to hire a replacement for Ashworth, or simply streamline the operation.
Greater responsibility could be given to Jason Wilcox, or recruitment expert Christopher Vivell could be given a more prominent role.
After the failure with Ashworth, there is a little pressure on Ineos to get their next big strategic decision right.
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