Why Dan Ashworth has left Manchester United after just five months
Man Utd made Dan Ashworth their sole target for the sporting director role but he has already left.
Manchester United insist it was a 'very difficult decision' to part company with sporting director Dan Ashworth after only five months in the role.
United identified Ashworth as the sole candidate for the sporting director role earlier in the year but have reached a mutual agreement to terminate his contract with immediate effect. The 53-year-old officially started work at Old Trafford on 1 July after spending five months on gardening leave at Newcastle United while a compensation agreement was worked upon.
Ashworth was tasked with deciding the fate of previous manager Erik ten Hag during the summer, and ultimately advised the club to stick with the Dutchman, a move that backfired horrendously when he was sacked back in October. It cost United £10.4 million to pay off Ten Hag and his backroom staff and another £11m to release replacement Ruben Amorim from his existing deal at Sporting.
An official club statement read: "Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as Sporting Director of Manchester United by mutual agreement. 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."
There is no indication on how United plan to replace Ashworth, though it seems likely they will look to do so in the long-term having initially prioritised the appointment of a sporting director earlier in the year.