Former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth has left the club after just five months
Former Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth
Newcastle United have began the search for a new sporting director following the announcement that Paul Mitchell would be leaving the club at the end of June.
Former Monaco chief Mitchell will depart after a year at St James' Park, which saw trhe club's hands tied by FFP and PSR restrictions in the two transfer windows he oversaw.
United are now back in the situation they found themselves in a little over 12 months ago following Dan Ashworth's departure. Newcastle had brough the transfer guru to Tyneside from Brighton after he had impressed on the south coast.
However, Ashworth was soon targetted by Manchester United following Sir Jim Ratcliffe's arrival at Old Trafford, with Sir Dave Brailsford playing a key role.
After a protracted period of gardening leave while the two clubs thrashed out a compensation package of around £10m, Ashworth was finally given permission to join Man United in February 2024, with the former FA chief taking up his position in the following July.
His time in the North West was short-lived. Just five months into the role, he left Old Trafford by mutual consent following a restructure and a summer transfer window that had seen the Red Devils invest heavily in a team that failed to perform in the Premier League.
Rubem Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag as manager, with Man United reportedly paying around £4.1m to end Ashworth's contract early.
"Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as Sporting Director of Manchester United by mutual agreement," read a Man United statement in December 2024. "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."
Again, he wasn't out of work for long, with a return to the FA as their first chief football officer, leading the strategy across the England's men's and women's teams. His brief also includes a new-look St George's Park as England prepare to co-host EURO 2028.
FA CEO Mark Bullingham said: "Dan is a hugely influential and respected figure in the game, who has a long-standing commitment to England football. We are very happy to welcome him back in this new role.”