Arsenal and Everton are reportedly interested in hiring Dan Ashworth as their sporting director after he leaves his role at Manchester United.
According toTBR, Dan Ashworth may not be out of a job for longer, as a host of top clubs are eyeing an appointment of the former Manchester United director. Arsenal and Everton are in the mix for the sporting director, although such appointments are always complicated.
A sporting director’s role is not cut and dry compared to a first-team manager’s, as this particular position demands a lot of thinking at various levels. In Manchester United’s case, they moved heaven and earth back in the summer toappoint Dan Ashworth after protracted negotiations with Newcastle United and having to pay a big fee in the end.
The association lasted barely five months as Dan Ashworth left the club last Sunday following Manchester United’s home defeat against Nottingham Forest the day before. The official statement insisted this was a mutual decision, although the writing was clear on the wall that this might have been a dismissal for the 53-year-old.
Despite his short stint at Manchester United and the protracted nature of his departure from his previous employers, Newcastle United, Dan Ashworth still has a big reputation in the market. The sporting director already has suitors thinking about appointing him, withArsenal one of those keen.
Dan Ashworth has a good relationship with Arsenal Managing Director Richard Garlick following their stint together at West Brom. He’s seen as one of the candidates to replace Edu Gaspar, withReal Sociedad’s Roberto Olabe also a candidate. The latter was considered a big favourite to succeed the Brazilian, but the former’s sudden availability might change Arsenal’s thinking on the situation.
Everton will rival Arsenal in the Dan Ashworth chase
Arsenal could offer Ashworth a big opportunity, but they will face competition from Everton. The Merseysiders are about to begin a new era in their new plush stadium next season, and it’s believed that neither their manager, Sean Dyche, nor sporting director, Kevin Thelwell, are expected to lead the team then.
Everton could challenge Arsenal in the race for Ashworth, as there are already rumours of potential candidates to replace Dych in the managerial hot seat.Sergio Conceicao and former manager David Moyes are linked with the club, and the Toffees could prioritise the backroom appointments ahead of next season.