Manchester United's former sporting director Dan Ashworth
Manchester United's former sporting director Dan Ashworth (Image: Valerio Pennicino - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Things may not have worked out for Dan Ashworth at Manchester United but there will be no shortage of clubs queuing up for his services.
By Sir Jim Ratcliffe's own admission, Ashworth is one of the world's best sporting directors and the INEOS owner spent months in public pursuit of the former Brighton and FA Chief while he was in post at Newcastle United.
In July an agreement was finally reached to prise him away from St James' Park, believed to be in the region of £2-3million, but has been reported in some outlets this week to have been as high as £5million, as United insisted they had secured the 'best in class'.
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Around £200million was then spent in the summer transfer window but fortunes weren't revived on the pitch. United sacked Erik ten Hag and are currently 13th in the Premier League after 15 matches - their lowest position ever at this stage of the season.
Cracks in the relationship between Ashworth and his superiors were beginning to show and the appointment of Ruben Amorim was led by CEO Omar Berrada, rather than the club's sporting director.
Manchester Evening News reported on Sunday that Ashworth preferred an English appointment and lobbied for former England manager Gareth Southgate.
When Ratcliffe publicly criticised United's recruitment department over the weekend, the writing was already on the wall before he learned of his fate in the wake of United's 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The question is where do both parties go next? There is a feeling that United feel that there are too many voices at boardroom level and Berrada, technical director Jason Wilcox and interim director of recruitment Christopher Vivell could assume Ashworth's duties.
But Ashworth will have options available to him and one route could open for him at Arsenal. Edu announced his shock departure as the club's sporting director earlier this year and Ashworth has been linked with a move to North London.
The 53-year-old has a close relationship with the Gunners' managing director Richard Garlick, who he worked with at West Bromwich Albion.
If he does move to the Emirates Stadium, his success or failure will add to the scrutiny over United's decision makers.
Eddie Howe described Ashworth's strength at Newcastle as being a 'problem-solver' who 'looks at things from top to bottom'. If Ashworth goes to Arsenal and is successful, questions will be asked as to why he was cut short from doing so at United after just five months.