Dan Ashworth’s sudden availability has piqued the interest of Arsenal as the club seeks to appoint a new sporting director.
Ashworth, a highly respected figure in English football, previously held roles at the Football Association and Brighton before joining Manchester United from Newcastle in the summer. United reportedly paid around £3 million to secure his services after a period of gardening leave. However, in a stunning turn of events, the club announced his departure after just five months.
The decision to part ways with Ashworth reportedly stemmed from tensions within United’s hierarchy following the appointment of Ruben Amorim as head coach last month. Ashworth had favored other candidates for the role, leading to clashes with members of the club’s new football leadership team. Despite the abrupt departure, his reputation in football remains intact, and his next move is already a subject of interest across the Premier League.
Arsenal, currently in search of a new sporting director after Edu’s resignation last month, has emerged as a potential suitor for Ashworth. According to The Sun, Arsenal’s recruitment chief, Richard Garlick, who has a strong working relationship with Ashworth from their time together at West Brom, is particularly interested in bringing him to the Emirates.
Additionally, Everton is considering Ashworth as part of a broader overhaul of their club’s structure, should the Friedkin Group succeed in acquiring the troubled Merseyside club.
Ashworth’s sacking has sparked mixed reactions, with former United defender Rio Ferdinand calling on the club’s owners to show similar decisiveness when addressing underperforming players.
“Confusion is the first thing that springs to mind,” Ferdinand said on his Rio Presents podcast. “I just hope they’re this brutal with the players as they’ve been with the staff. If there are players not good enough, get them out quickly.”
As Arsenal and other clubs assess their next steps, Ashworth’s swift availability could make him one of the most sought-after figures in the Premier League’s football operations circles.
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