Newcastle United to hold interviews for Dan Ashworth replacement next week in huge boost for Manchester United | OneFootball

Manchester United’s pursuit of Dan Ashworth seems to be gaining traction as Newcastle are to begin their hunt for a new sporting director in earnest next week.

The INEOS revolution began spectacularly with the news that Omar Berrada would be swapping blue for red, as he had accepted a proposal to be Manchester United’s new CEO.

United then received further good news this week when it was made official that Southampton and the Old Trafford outfit had agreed a compensation package to allow Jason Wilcox to take up the role as technical director at the club.

Fans of the Red Devils can now breathe a little easier that they will definitely have two crucial members of the new sporting team in place for the summer’s transfer window but there is still one big deal to get over the line.

Dan Ashworth agreed to become the new sporting director of the club months ago but INEOS have been stuck in negotiations with Newcastle United over a compensation package for the 53 year old.

The Magpies angered Sir Jim Ratcliffe by demanding a £20m fee after putting the Englishman on gardening leave.

It had been reported a few weeks ago that the two sides had met in the middle with a £10m deal, but no breakthrough has since been reported.

However, The Telegraph has some more potentially positive news for the Red Devils.

The outlet reports, “Newcastle will start the interview process for their next sporting director next week with a preference for them to have experience in the Premier League”.

“Club sources describe it as a ‘global search’ with nothing ruled in or out and next week’s interviews are unlikely to be the only ones”.

The Shields Gazette also adds that the side from St James’ Park’s search for a new sporting director is “at an advanced stage”.

“The Magpies are understood to be closing in on finding Ashworth’s successor having hired leading executive search firm Odgers Berndtson to help with the process. AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini was the latest name to be linked with the role along with the likes of Phil Giles, Tiago Pinto, Rui Pedro Braz and Paul Mitchell”.

One would imagine that once Newcastle have sorted their own future, they will be more open to resolving the Ashworth case.

They are hardly likely to want to pay two people to do the same job but with only one being able to carry out the tasks, with Ashworth at home tending his roses.

Moreover, with the Wilcox deal done, INEOS can put all their focus on getting the Ashworth negotiations over the line, to give themselves the best chance to carry out a well-planned and executed first summer transfer window in charge.

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