Dan Ashworth is set to take Newcastle United to arbitration to facilitate his move to Manchester United.
Ashworth, 53, was placed on gardening leave by Newcastle in February after informing the north-east club he wanted to explore the opportunity.
Athleticism reported before Newcastle’s move that Ashworth had informed them of Manchester United’s approach to become sporting director at Old Trafford.
Newcastle were seeking up to £20 million in compensation, but with Manchester United unwilling to meet that figure, the issue is now set to be decided by a third party. Ashworth will be supported by Manchester United in a deal expected to begin in May and last for several weeks.
New co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is overhauling football operations at Manchester United, with Manchester City’s Omar Berrada taking over as CEO this summer and Jason Wilcox already installed from Southampton as technical director.
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Why Manchester United want Dan Ashworth
“I think Dan Ashworth is clearly one of the best sporting directors in the world, I have no doubt about that,” Ratcliffe said in February.
“He is a very competent person. He is interested in the Manchester United job because it is probably the most important sporting director position in the world right now, with the biggest challenge.
“We obviously had words with Newcastle. They would clearly be disappointed to lose Dan. But what I find completely absurd is to suggest that a man who really does his job should sit in his garden for a year and a half. This is completely stupid.
Wilcox will report to Ashworth, who will have overall responsibility for football performance, recruiting and operations.
Ashworth spent time at West Bromwich Albion, the English FA and Brighton & Hove Albion before joining Newcastle in February 2022.
Their process to replace him is well advanced and Crystal Palace’s Dougie Freedman is among the candidates, as first reported by the Daily Mail.
Ratcliffe completed his minority investment in Manchester United earlier this year, with the Glazer family diluting their shares rather than exiting them altogether.
Ratcliffe petrochemical company INEOS bought an equal split of Class B + Class A shares at $33 (£26) each at an overall cost of $1.3 billion.
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(Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)