Report: Premier League rival shows interest in Dan Ashworth after Man Utd exit | OneFootball

Dan Ashworth may not have to wait too long before a return to football, having been let go as Manchester United's first ever sporting director just five months into the job.

Ashworth appears to have been an early casualty of a new Old Trafford regime finding its feet and new senior bosses figuring out ways they can work together.

But although his ideas and methods didn't seem to fit with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and chief executive Omar Berrada's way of thinking, which begs the question of why that wasn't picked up during a process of due diligence, he still carries a considerable reputation.

Ashworth first came to prominence at West Bromwich Albion, before being headhunted by the FA to work alongside England's national teams. His time there coincided with Gareth Southgate breaking years of underachievement to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup, before similarly impressive work on delivering sporting improvement at Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United.

So even with a failed appointment under his belt, Ashworth isn't expected to be short of interest.

Already, ESPN notes that Arsenal have added his name to a "list of possible candidates".

Edu is leaving Arsenal for a new job / Dave Benett/GettyImages

The Gunners are currently without a sporting director due to Edu's recent exit, similarly shocking but for altogether different reasons, as he prepares to take on a new more lucrative and far-reaching job with Nottingham Forest's multi-club ownership group.

Adding fuel to the links is Ashworth's prior relationship with Arsenal managing director Richard Garlick. The pair worked together at West Brom just over a decade ago, with Garlick eventually succeeding Ashworth as sporting and technical director at The Hawthorns.

Arsenal were caught by surprise when Edu informed the club of his decision to leave, which meant there was no succession planning in place. However, the expectation that the January transfer window won't be a busy month means there isn't an urgent rush to source a replacement, allowing the Gunners a little more time to assess their options carefully.

Edu is on gardening leave until the end of the season, but it is unclear whether Ashworth is available now or is bound by any severance agreement that would stop him immediately taking a new job.