After years of nothing going on in the planning department of Manchester United’s football project, the club, under the stewardship of INEOS, has appointed a sporting director.
Dan Ashworth, the man responsible for Newcastle’s Resurgence into an English football powerhouse, has been poached from the Magpies to serve the Red Devils for the foreseeable future.
Ashworth’s potential appointment has been in the news for a long time as Sir Jim Ratcliffe made big moves to change the way things have been done at England’s most successful and iconic club. Alongside the long-touted appointment, the group made moves for a new Chief Executive Officer and also let the club’s current financial head leave in favour of their in-house expert who also manages the finances of other INEOS footballing projects.
The club’s organisational hierarchy now has some structure to it which has excited fans all over the world. Ashworth began his tenure on Monday alongside United’s other hires, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox, who come in as the CEO and technical director of Manchester United.
Newcastle, announcing Ashworth’s departure in a statement released on Monday afternoon, said, “Newcastle United and Manchester United have reached an agreement for the immediate release of Dan Ashworth from his contractual obligations at Newcastle United. The terms of this agreement remain confidential between the clubs.”
Ashworth’s role begins immediately, with his first task being the ratification of Erik ten Hag’s contract extension and his new backroom staff additions.
The Dutch manager, who was expected to leave the club at the end of last season despite beating city rivals Manchester City to the FA Cup, was told by INEOS that he would be continuing in his current role. However, they would appoint new assistant managers for him as part of a number of overhauls that the team will undergo.
Former Manchester United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who was touted for the Burnley managerial position is now one of ten Hag’s two keybassistants, as is Rene Hake, who, until last season, was the head coach of Dutch Eredivisie side Go Ahead Eagles, who he led to a ninth-place finish in last season’s Dutch top flight.
Pre-season preparations began officially on Monday July 1, 2024, which means that van Nistelrooy and Hake are already working with ten Hag to shape the club’s 2024/25 season. Ashworth, meanwhile, is now charged with providing the infrastructure on which they thrive while Sir Ratcliffe and the rest of the new Manchester United upper management continue to chart the future of the 20-time Premier League champions.
