Everton have joined Arsenal in showing an interest in former Manchester United director Dan Ashworth, and Mikel Arteta’s preference is seemingly for a different candidate.
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND: FA Technical Director Dan Ashworth attends a press conference at St. George's Park on July 25, 2016. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
Alex Crook reports for talkSPORT that Dan Ashworth is a potential candidate to become Everton’s new sporting director, with incoming club owner Dan Friedkin holding him in high regard.
Crook mentions that Ashworth has also been linked with Arsenal, but suggests that interim Edu replacement Jason Ayto is in a good position to land the job full-time, and Real Sociedad’s Roberto Olabe is also an option for the Gunners.
As a result, Everton are seemingly the frontrunners for Ashworth at this stage, following his departure from Manchester United.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND: Sir Jim Ratcliffe, owner of Manchester United poses for a photo as Dan Ashworth, Sporting director of Manchester United looks on prior to the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Manchester United FC at Villa Park on October 06, 2024. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Ashworth spent just five months at United, leaving amid reports of a series of disagreements with senior figures at the club.
Yet he still remains highly regarded, and he previously worked alongside Richard Garlick at West Bromwich Albion. The two reportedly had a close working relationship, and Garlick is now the man in charge of Arsenal’s search for Edu’s replacement.
Mikel Arteta may not be too upset if Ashworth ends up at Everton though, with Sami Mokbel reporting for the Daily Mail that Olabe is believed to be Arteta’s preference. The two already worked together in 2004 during Arteta’s time as a player.
Roberto Olabe of Real Sociedad (Photo via El Diario Vasco)
Photo via El Diario Vasco
Arsenal’s sporting director position is currently vacant, but as mentioned, assistant technical director Jason Ayto has stepped up in the interim period. Richard Garlick is supporting him ahead of the January transfer window.
Arteta, Tim Lewis, and Josh Kroenke will then join Garlick to make the final decision on Edu’s long-term successor.
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