Newcastle line up 44-year-old as potential Dan Ashworth replacement amid Man United interest

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Newcastle United have already lined up a replacement for director Dan Ashworth who is still wanted by Manchester United.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to to make big changes at the top of Man United should he complete his 25% purchase of the club and Ashworth is at the top of his list to begin his regime.

The Sun are now reporting that Newcastle have lined up Bournemouth technical director Richard Hughes who is understood to be good friends with Eddie Howe.

Man United won’t give up on their pursuit of Ashworth

Ashworth has hardly been at Newcastle for a year and he could already be on the move again after arriving on Tyneside from Brighton in 2022, though it’s believed that the 52-year-old is currently happy at the club.

Should he leave, however, this would throw a spanner in the works of Newcastle’s long-term plan as they had so heavily invested in Ashworth’s ideas and plans for the future of the club.

Ashworth was keen to develop the academy at the club and has helped to bring in so many young talents who are thriving in Newcastle’s youth sides.

It won’t derail the club, of course, it will merely be a slight change of direction with someone else coming in to bring some fresh ideas, but Ashworth was believed to be one of the best in the country which is exactly why Man United want to snap him up.

The Magpies eye up Hughes as a replacement

It’s a far from ideal scenario but if Ashworth wants the move to Man United then there is very little that Newcastle can do other than look for alternative options and move on.

Hughes looks to be a possible candidate and knows Howe well after working with the head coach at Bournemouth ,so they would already have an established relationship.

In fact, Hughes was brought in to Howe’s recruitment team back when he was manager of the Cherries and the pair had played alongside each other during their careers.

Though this may not be what clubs look for in a director to guide a club to success, a healthy and positive relationship is an absolute must if the club are to move forwards in any shape or form.