Dan Ashworth (no longer working for Manchester United)

[Skeletor]

Biggest grifter in the game. Imagine all that faff about freeing "the hostage" only to realise he's completely useless  

[GideonShandy]

It all started with such high hopes.  This was Dan Ashworth's open letter to Manure fans from July 21.

 

“This is one of my first opportunities to address Manchester United fans since joining the club as sporting director on 1 July, so I want to start by saying how delighted I am to be here.  Although I grew up in Norfolk, I’ve always had a strong attachment with Manchester because my mum and dad were born in Middleton and my grandparents lived their whole lives there. When I visited as a boy, my dad would take me to games across Greater Manchester and I remember the thrill of my first visit to Old Trafford in the late 1970s, watching the likes of Lou Macari, Jimmy Nicholl and Arthur Albiston.

I can’t claim to have been a partisan United fan – my dad enjoyed watching all the local teams – but I remember the special buzz that always seemed to surround games at Old Trafford, and it’s something I have experienced many times since during my career in football. So it’s going to be an incredibly proud moment entering the directors’ box on the home side for the first time when the Premier League season gets under way against Fulham on August 16. The close season is always a reset moment for every club, but the sense of renewal has been particularly strong at Manchester United this summer as our new leadership structure takes shape.  Omar Berrada has started as chief executive, and Jason Wilcox as technical director, and I can assure you that we have lost no time in getting to work. Our first big decision of the summer was to extend Erik ten Hag’s contract as men’s first-team manager to June 2026, reflecting our strong belief in him as one of Europe’s top coaches, and the partner we want to continue working with to get the team back to the levels expected. 

We are all clear that last season fell below the required standards in the Premier League and Champions League but, by winning the FA Cup in such impressive fashion, our players and staff showed what they are capable of when everyone pulls together and performs to their potential. Our collective challenge is to reach those levels much more consistently. It’s my job, together with Jason, to create the right support structures and environment around Erik, the staff and players to make that possible. Already, I can feel a strong sense of energy and determination around the group, as the players and staff return fresh from their breaks, including some exciting new additions to the squad, and to the coaching team. There are also changes to the physical environment at Carrington as work commences on our season-long £50million redevelopment of the training ground – evidence of our commitment to improving the club’s infrastructure. This will require some adaptation this season, but all our teams – men’s, women’s and Academy – will maintain access to high-quality facilities, with the promise of a fully refreshed, world-class site once the project is completed. 

Delivering a successful women’s team and a thriving, productive Academy are both key objectives of my job, and I have a strong background in both areas. Women’s football was an important part of my remit in past roles with Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion and the FA, and it will be the same at Manchester United. Women’s football is arguably the most exciting area of growth in the global game, and we want to be part of that. Last season’s FA Cup win was a fantastic landmark as our first major women’s trophy, and now we want to build on that with Marc, his staff and the players. Youth development has also been a huge part of my career and I see it as a crucial element of success for any football club – but especially for Manchester United where homegrown players have such a rich history. The success of our Under-18s during the 2023/24 campaign bodes well for the next generation of men’s talent coming through, and the same is true on the women’s side, with both our Under-21s and Under-16s finishing the season with trophies. Overall, my first impression is the scale of opportunity available to us at Manchester United as we review and refresh all areas of the club. This remains one of the biggest football clubs in the world, but that is not our measure of success; the focus is on getting back to being among the best on the pitch. It won’t happen overnight, but, together with Omar and his new leadership team, we will not rest until we have achieved it.”

 

Fans were delighted with what they read and took to social media to show their support. One wrote: "Had goosebumps reading this." Another said: "He made us a serious club again, thank you." A third added: "Exciting times ahead for United fans! Can't wait to see Dan Ashworth's vision come to life." A fourth beamed: "It shows that he values the fans' input and wants to keep them informed about the direction the club is heading." A fifth posted: "I'm excited about the future."

 

[McDog]

"Then I found out they were just a bunch of cunts."

Nobody printed the updated part.

[Ben]

I think they made a great choice with they new manager but I wonder how long he will last with Brexit Jim keep poking his nose in

[Newcastle Fan]

On 02/09/2023 at 20:57, Newcastle Fan said:

So does he get any blame for taking us through an extremely important transfer window and coming out with a couple of youngsters and only one starter? it feels like he allowed Eddie to do what he did at Bournmouth when he went spending their money on the likes of Jordan Ibe.

 

Called him for the fraud he is from page 7.

[bobbydazzla]

4 hours ago, GideonShandy said:

It all started with such high hopes.  This was Dan Ashworth's open letter to Manure fans from July 21.

 

“This is one of my first opportunities to address Manchester United fans since joining the club as sporting director on 1 July, so I want to start by saying how delighted I am to be here.  Although I grew up in Norfolk, I’ve always had a strong attachment with Manchester because my mum and dad were born in Middleton and my grandparents lived their whole lives there. When I visited as a boy, my dad would take me to games across Greater Manchester and I remember the thrill of my first visit to Old Trafford in the late 1970s, watching the likes of Lou Macari, Jimmy Nicholl and Arthur Albiston.

I can’t claim to have been a partisan United fan – my dad enjoyed watching all the local teams – but I remember the special buzz that always seemed to surround games at Old Trafford, and it’s something I have experienced many times since during my career in football. So it’s going to be an incredibly proud moment entering the directors’ box on the home side for the first time when the Premier League season gets under way against Fulham on August 16. The close season is always a reset moment for every club, but the sense of renewal has been particularly strong at Manchester United this summer as our new leadership structure takes shape.  Omar Berrada has started as chief executive, and Jason Wilcox as technical director, and I can assure you that we have lost no time in getting to work. Our first big decision of the summer was to extend Erik ten Hag’s contract as men’s first-team manager to June 2026, reflecting our strong belief in him as one of Europe’s top coaches, and the partner we want to continue working with to get the team back to the levels expected. 

We are all clear that last season fell below the required standards in the Premier League and Champions League but, by winning the FA Cup in such impressive fashion, our players and staff showed what they are capable of when everyone pulls together and performs to their potential. Our collective challenge is to reach those levels much more consistently. It’s my job, together with Jason, to create the right support structures and environment around Erik, the staff and players to make that possible. Already, I can feel a strong sense of energy and determination around the group, as the players and staff return fresh from their breaks, including some exciting new additions to the squad, and to the coaching team. There are also changes to the physical environment at Carrington as work commences on our season-long £50million redevelopment of the training ground – evidence of our commitment to improving the club’s infrastructure. This will require some adaptation this season, but all our teams – men’s, women’s and Academy – will maintain access to high-quality facilities, with the promise of a fully refreshed, world-class site once the project is completed. 

Delivering a successful women’s team and a thriving, productive Academy are both key objectives of my job, and I have a strong background in both areas. Women’s football was an important part of my remit in past roles with Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion and the FA, and it will be the same at Manchester United. Women’s football is arguably the most exciting area of growth in the global game, and we want to be part of that. Last season’s FA Cup win was a fantastic landmark as our first major women’s trophy, and now we want to build on that with Marc, his staff and the players. Youth development has also been a huge part of my career and I see it as a crucial element of success for any football club – but especially for Manchester United where homegrown players have such a rich history. The success of our Under-18s during the 2023/24 campaign bodes well for the next generation of men’s talent coming through, and the same is true on the women’s side, with both our Under-21s and Under-16s finishing the season with trophies. Overall, my first impression is the scale of opportunity available to us at Manchester United as we review and refresh all areas of the club. This remains one of the biggest football clubs in the world, but that is not our measure of success; the focus is on getting back to being among the best on the pitch. It won’t happen overnight, but, together with Omar and his new leadership team, we will not rest until we have achieved it.”

 

Fans were delighted with what they read and took to social media to show their support. One wrote: "Had goosebumps reading this." Another said: "He made us a serious club again, thank you." A third added: "Exciting times ahead for United fans! Can't wait to see Dan Ashworth's vision come to life." A fourth beamed: "It shows that he values the fans' input and wants to keep them informed about the direction the club is heading." A fifth posted: "I'm excited about the future."

 

Dan Ashworth’s first novel, a lengthy work of fiction 

 

He spent longer typing that TL;DR epic than he did working for them 

 

 

Edited December 10 by bobbydazzla

[Keegans Export]

Just now, bobbydazzla said:

Dan Ashworth’s first novel, a lengthy work of fiction 

 

He spent longer writing that TL;DR epic than he did working for them 

Apparently Tony Bloom wrote all the good bits

[Paully]

 Few NUFC related things from Atheltic article;

 

 

The signs of disharmony were detectable at the very moment that Ashworth would have been expected to prove his worth. In searching for a replacement for Erik ten Hag as manager, Ratcliffe wanted to hear ideas from the man he had sanctioned spending around £2.5million ($3.2million) to bring in from Newcastle United due to his expertise at building structures. Ashworth, it is claimed, did not provide clear, compelling arguments for who to bring in.

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Instead, there was a list and those he did propose had a theme: Premier League experience. Suggestions included Eddie Howe, despite the picture not always being rosy at Newcastle United; Marco Silva, the Fulham head coach; and Thomas Frank, the Brentford head coach. Graham Potter was another name mentioned by Ashworth, possibly as an interim until the end of the season.

Ratcliffe wanted more decisiveness and a dynamic appointment, someone with a certain charisma who was capable of shouldering the enormous responsibility and scrutiny that comes with leading one of the world’s biggest clubs.

 

Ashworth oversaw all the summer signings, which included some influence from Ten Hag. Ashworth was tasked with making things work with Ten Hag and sanctioned the signings of Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt, two preferences for the manager, among a spend of around £200million. Joshua Zirkzee, who moved to United in the summer from Serie A side Bologna, was seen as more of a club-led transfer. He had been on Newcastle’s list of potential transfers at the start of the year.

 

Ashworth has expressed to people a feeling of working in a highly pressurised environment and suggested he may not have left Newcastle had he known Amanda Staveley would subsequently depart. Howe’s strong relationship with Staveley, at the time a Newcastle minority shareholder and director, had been built before Ashworth’s arrival at the club and the Newcastle manager had always had a direct dialogue with her, so did not go via Ashworth.

 

 

Edited December 10 by Paully

[SUPERTOON]

20 minutes ago, Paully said:

 Few NUFC related things from Atheltic article;

 

 

The signs of disharmony were detectable at the very moment that Ashworth would have been expected to prove his worth. In searching for a replacement for Erik ten Hag as manager, Ratcliffe wanted to hear ideas from the man he had sanctioned spending around £2.5million ($3.2million) to bring in from Newcastle United due to his expertise at building structures. Ashworth, it is claimed, did not provide clear, compelling arguments for who to bring in.

Advertisement

 

Instead, there was a list and those he did propose had a theme: Premier League experience. Suggestions included Eddie Howe, despite the picture not always being rosy at Newcastle United; Marco Silva, the Fulham head coach; and Thomas Frank, the Brentford head coach. Graham Potter was another name mentioned by Ashworth, possibly as an interim until the end of the season.

Ratcliffe wanted more decisiveness and a dynamic appointment, someone with a certain charisma who was capable of shouldering the enormous responsibility and scrutiny that comes with leading one of the world’s biggest clubs.

 

Ashworth oversaw all the summer signings, which included some influence from Ten Hag. Ashworth was tasked with making things work with Ten Hag and sanctioned the signings of Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt, two preferences for the manager, among a spend of around £200million. Joshua Zirkzee, who moved to United in the summer from Serie A side Bologna, was seen as more of a club-led transfer. He had been on Newcastle’s list of potential transfers at the start of the year.

 

Ashworth has expressed to people a feeling of working in a highly pressurised environment and suggested he may not have left Newcastle had he known Amanda Staveley would subsequently depart. Howe’s strong relationship with Staveley, at the time a Newcastle minority shareholder and director, had been built before Ashworth’s arrival at the club and the Newcastle manager had always had a direct dialogue with her, so did not go via Ashworth.

 

 

 

Glad he left before he could sign Zirkzee for us.

[Magpie]

Arsenal bound?

[Cronky]

1 hour ago, Paully said:

 Few NUFC related things from Atheltic article;

 

 

The signs of disharmony were detectable at the very moment that Ashworth would have been expected to prove his worth. In searching for a replacement for Erik ten Hag as manager, Ratcliffe wanted to hear ideas from the man he had sanctioned spending around £2.5million ($3.2million) to bring in from Newcastle United due to his expertise at building structures. Ashworth, it is claimed, did not provide clear, compelling arguments for who to bring in.

Advertisement

 

Instead, there was a list and those he did propose had a theme: Premier League experience. Suggestions included Eddie Howe, despite the picture not always being rosy at Newcastle United; Marco Silva, the Fulham head coach; and Thomas Frank, the Brentford head coach. Graham Potter was another name mentioned by Ashworth, possibly as an interim until the end of the season.

Ratcliffe wanted more decisiveness and a dynamic appointment, someone with a certain charisma who was capable of shouldering the enormous responsibility and scrutiny that comes with leading one of the world’s biggest clubs.

 

Ashworth oversaw all the summer signings, which included some influence from Ten Hag. Ashworth was tasked with making things work with Ten Hag and sanctioned the signings of Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt, two preferences for the manager, among a spend of around £200million. Joshua Zirkzee, who moved to United in the summer from Serie A side Bologna, was seen as more of a club-led transfer. He had been on Newcastle’s list of potential transfers at the start of the year.

 

Ashworth has expressed to people a feeling of working in a highly pressurised environment and suggested he may not have left Newcastle had he known Amanda Staveley would subsequently depart. Howe’s strong relationship with Staveley, at the time a Newcastle minority shareholder and director, had been built before Ashworth’s arrival at the club and the Newcastle manager had always had a direct dialogue with her, so did not go via Ashworth.

 

 

 

 

If this is true, it's difficult to follow Ratcliffe's logic.

 

It's said that Ashworth didn't provide compelling arguments as to who to bring in, but he put a premium on Premier League experience, which sounds very sensible. It's a very difficult, high-pressure job and it needs someone who can get to grips with things fairly quickly. The three candidates named all sound viable to me. 

 

Ratcliffe was apparently seeking someone who could shoulder the 'enormous responsibility and scrutiny', but a relatively inexperienced guy from the Portuguese league doesn't sound the ideal candidate by that criterion.

[TRon]

18 minutes ago, Cronky said:

 

If this is true, it's difficult to follow Ratcliffe's logic.

 

It's said that Ashworth didn't provide compelling arguments as to who to bring in, but he put a premium on Premier League experience, which sounds very sensible. It's a very difficult, high-pressure job and it needs someone who can get to grips with things fairly quickly. The three candidates named all sound viable to me. 

 

Ratcliffe was apparently seeking someone who could shoulder the 'enormous responsibility and scrutiny', but a relatively inexperienced guy from the Portuguese league doesn't sound the ideal candidate by that criterion.

 

 

Some of the most successful managers in the Premier would never have landed if clubs looked for PL experience above other credentials.

[Jackie Broon]

55 minutes ago, TRon said:

 

 

Some of the most successful managers in the Premier would never have landed if clubs looked for PL experience above other credentials.

 

In fact in the PL era the only mangers to have won the league with previous English football managerial experience before their appointment are Dalglish and Ranieri (and Mourinho if you count his second spell at Chelsea).

[SUPERTOON]

 

[Jewel]

Looks like he’s going to land on his feet yet again, if he gets the Arsenal job.

[Dokko]

8 minutes ago, SUPERTOON said:

 

 

Sacked by Christmas.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

2 hours ago, Paully said:

 Few NUFC related things from Atheltic article;

 

 

The signs of disharmony were detectable at the very moment that Ashworth would have been expected to prove his worth. In searching for a replacement for Erik ten Hag as manager, Ratcliffe wanted to hear ideas from the man he had sanctioned spending around £2.5million ($3.2million) to bring in from Newcastle United due to his expertise at building structures. Ashworth, it is claimed, did not provide clear, compelling arguments for who to bring in.

Advertisement

 

Instead, there was a list and those he did propose had a theme: Premier League experience. Suggestions included Eddie Howe, despite the picture not always being rosy at Newcastle United; Marco Silva, the Fulham head coach; and Thomas Frank, the Brentford head coach. Graham Potter was another name mentioned by Ashworth, possibly as an interim until the end of the season.

Ratcliffe wanted more decisiveness and a dynamic appointment, someone with a certain charisma who was capable of shouldering the enormous responsibility and scrutiny that comes with leading one of the world’s biggest clubs.

 

Ashworth oversaw all the summer signings, which included some influence from Ten Hag. Ashworth was tasked with making things work with Ten Hag and sanctioned the signings of Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt, two preferences for the manager, among a spend of around £200million. Joshua Zirkzee, who moved to United in the summer from Serie A side Bologna, was seen as more of a club-led transfer. He had been on Newcastle’s list of potential transfers at the start of the year.

 

Ashworth has expressed to people a feeling of working in a highly pressurised environment and suggested he may not have left Newcastle had he known Amanda Staveley would subsequently depart. Howe’s strong relationship with Staveley, at the time a Newcastle minority shareholder and director, had been built before Ashworth’s arrival at the club and the Newcastle manager had always had a direct dialogue with her, so did not go via Ashworth.

 

 

 

An absolute cowboy basically. 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

10 minutes ago, SUPERTOON said:

 

No they won’t. 

[McDog]

6 minutes ago, SUPERTOON said:

 

 

If they approach, Ratcliffe  won't ask for compensation as he found the entire concept of gardening leave daft when the shoe was on the other foot.

Right Ratty?

 

 

 

 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

He’s left Man Utd already. 

[wormy]

His PR people have worked wonders if Arsenal take a punt on him after all of this.

[ExiledGeordie]

Is he actually any good or just massively overhyped?

[macphisto]

I do think Ashworth is very over rated and his track record is not that great but I do have sympathy for his last two roles. Director of football was never going to work at Newcastle with Staveley and her husband and likewise at Man U where there are so many chiefs.

 

[McDog]

1 hour ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

He’s left Man Utd already. 

 

 

He not have a non-compete in his contract?

 

edit: I sup[pose if you are walked out the door, it doesn't matter.

 

 

Edited December 10 by McDog

[Cronky]

3 hours ago, TRon said:

 

 

Some of the most successful managers in the Premier would never have landed if clubs looked for PL experience above other credentials.

 

Agreed, but I think it has some importance for this particular job at this particular time. I think it needs someone who is a bit battle-hardened, and if that experience is within the Premiership, so much the better. There's a lot of pressure, and familiarity with the league makes it easier to hit the ground running.