Dan Ashworth
Dan Ashworth could be on the way to Arsenal
Dan Ashworth has moved to the top of Arsenal’s list for their new sporting director because of one man.
The former Newcastle and Brighton man left Old Trafford over the weekend just five months after arriving at the club. A brief club statement read: “Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as Sporting Director of Manchester United by mutual agreement. 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.”
But Ashworth might not be out of work for very long at all. United’s Premier League rivals Arsenal have been linked with a move for the 53-year-old as they continue their own search for a new sporting director.
Former midfielder Edu left the club earlier this season and while he remains without a club, he is expected to accept a role within Evangelos Marinakis’ multi-club set up. And now that Ashworth has left United, he could potentially emerge as an option for the Gunners.
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A move to the Emirates would see Ashworth reunited with Arsenal managing director Richard Garlick. The pair previously worked together at West Bromwich Albion - where Garlick was legal director-secretary and he subsequently claimed the roles of sporting and technical director following Ashworth’s exit to join the FA in 2013.
It is suggested that the pair enjoyed a close working relationship at the Hawthorns. Explaining his roles both with West Brom and Arsenal in 2021, Garlick said: "I’m a qualified lawyer, I was in private practice for 10 years, then moved to West Brom, where I was their legal counsel and club secretary for four years before my role evolved into a wider football role.
“So I understand how to convert a transfer plan on paper into one in reality from a financial and legal point of view. Typically, as the transfer deals progress further, that’s when my involvement grows.
Ashworth would be reunited with Richard Garlick if he joins Arsenal
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“We get to the point where we have contracts ready to sign, that have been agreed by the board, the finance department and the legal department. Then they are presented to the player and his agent to complete the signing.”
Should Ashworth move to North London, he will likely have a pivotal role in incoming transfers. He only oversaw one window at Old Trafford - United spending around £180m on five new faces.
They included the double signings of Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich. Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro were also signed for considerable fees.
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