Newcastle United will probably already know who they want to replace Dan Ashworth as Toon Sporting Director.
That is the view of HITC Football insider Graeme Bailey, who has spoke to Geordie Boot Boys about Dan Ashworth‘s looming move from Newcastle United to Manchester United.
The 52-year-old has made it clear that he wants to leave St James’ Park, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe eager for him to join his new project at Man United.
It looks like he is going to get his wish, which will force the Magpies to find a new sporting director.
They have already been doing their due diligence, and it will be interesting to see who they pick to take Ashworth’s place.
Ideally, Newcastle will want someone who can come in and start working on Tyneside immediately, but Bailey believes that the Toon owners will happily wait for the right person – just like they did with Ashworth in 2022.
Newcastle would love immediate Dan Ashworth replacement, but will be prepared to wait
“In an ideal world, someone will come in straight away, but football’s football,” he said.
“Even if Ashworth has to go on gardening leave, Darren Eales is already there so there’s people to guide the ship until someone comes in.
“They’ve shown with Ashworth that they’re prepared to wait [for the right person]. Newcastle are in a fortunate position where they people in and around the club who can fill in.
“Does it interfere with their summer transfer plans? Not overly, because they’re working as a project and will know who they want anyway. Short-term, I don’t think it will have a massive impact on them.”
We will soon find out who Newcastle want to replace Dan Ashworth
Ashworth’s move to Manchester United is gathering pace, with progress expected next week.
And Bailey believes that when a formal announcement arrives, we will soon discover who Newcastle have got lined up to replace him. However, he does not believe former Liverpool chief Michael Edwards will be in the running.
“Newcastle have been accepting of this for quite a while, and I suspect that they will know who they want now, and I think as soon as we know Ashworth is going, I think we will know who’s coming in pretty quickly.
“I think it will come out pretty quickly who the preferential targets are. I know Richard Hughes’ name has been mentioned. I do wonder if Paul Mitchell’s name comes into it. Phil Giles has done a great job at Brentford. I’ve seen Michael Edwards linked, but if he’s said no to Liverpool then I don’t see him going to Newcastle, with all due respect.”
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