Dan Ashworth is closing in on a new role just over one year since he departed Newcastle United.
When the PIF takeover was complete, one of their first actions at Newcastle United was to search for a top-class sporting director. That search ended with Newcastle appointing Dan Ashworth in 2022.
Together with Eddie Howe, Dan Ashworth was tasked with leading Newcastle’s rebuild under PIF.
But his time at Newcastle was cut short in dramatic fashion. Ashworth left for Manchester United, with the Red Devils paying over £4million in compensation to get a deal over the line.
Ashworth spent months on gardening leave before starting his sporting director role at Old Trafford. But Manchester United sacked Ashworth just five months into his tenure after a fall-out behind the scenes.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Dan Ashworth in talks for Al-Nassr Sporting director role
Ever since leaving Newcastle, Ashworth’s career has been in freefall after an embarrassingly short stint at Manchester United.
Ashworth was rated highly at Newcastle, but he jumped ship and was thrown to the side by Manchester United after failing to get along with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos team.
Since leaving Manchester, Ashworth was linked with Arsenal but missed out on the job. Fresh reports now claim he is in talks over a move to Saudi Arabia.
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According to journalist Gianluigi Longari, Ashworth is in talks with PIF-owned Al-Nassr over a potential sporting director role.
Dan Ashworth could work with Cristiano Ronaldo and Jhon Duran
If Ashworth does complete a move to Al-Nassr as sporting director, he will link up with a star-studded side.
Al-Nassr has been the gem of the Saudi Pro League ever since Cristiano Ronaldo made the move there in 2023. They are one of four Saudi Pro League teams owned by Newcastle owners PIF.
They have also signed the likes of Sadio Mane and Jhon Duran – who was previously a top target for Newcastle.
During the 2024 summer transfer window, Newcastle were linked with Duran when he was impressing at Aston Villa.
READ MORE: Newcastle United avoided £69m PSR disaster through Dan Ashworth and two last-gasp deals
The Profit and Sustainability Rules stopped Newcastle from spending big in 2024, so the Magpies passed up the opportunity to sign the 21-year-old forward.
Instead, Duran made a £71m move to Al-Nassr in the latest January window. If Newcastle ever reignited their interest in the Colombian forward, it might be Ashworth who Paul Mitchell has to negotiate with.