Newcastle United have a rather enviable set-up these days.
Indeed, the decisions PIF have made since their takeover of Newcastle have propelled the club back into the Champions League.
Now they’re there, they are simply flying.
Eddie Howe’s work on the coaching field has yielded huge improvements from the players he inherited from Steve Bruce, while pretty much every signing the club have made in the PIF era has hit the ground running.
Behind the scenes, the club look a well-oiled machine. In Dan Ashworth, they have a sporting director of note, which makes links with a move away hardly surprising.
Dan Ashworth: Man United keen on Newcastle sporting director
Manchester United are said to have discussed potentially turning to Ashworth.
With Sir Jim Ratcliffe expected to come in at Old Trafford and oversee footballing matters, the INEOS owner is seemingly keen to appoint a sporting director.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the Manchester giants have considered a move for Ashworth in that respect but it has already been made clear he is not looking to leave St James’ Park.
Dan Ashworth to Man United: Newcastle have little to fear (Opinion)
In a bygone era, a move to Old Trafford might represent something of a step up from Newcastle.
These days, however, it is hard to imagine going there would be a better career move.
Man United have been a mess in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era and that does not look like changing any time soon. Newcastle, meanwhile, are making rapid fire progress under PIF.
There are so many things left to achieve at St James’ Park. Though so much has happened since the takeover, nothing has been won just yet, with the PIF era still at a relatively early stage.
Why Ashworth would want to miss that is certainly up for debate.
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