- Newcastle confirmed that Dan Ashworth has been placed on gardening leave
- Ashworth has asked to leave Newcastle amid Manchester United’s interest
- CHRIS SUTTON: I wouldn’t be getting the bunting out at Man United just yet – It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Dan Ashworth has moved a step closer to becoming Manchester United’s new director of football after Newcastle confirmed that he has been placed on gardening leave.
The two clubs still have to agree a compensation figure, but Newcastle’s chief executive Darren Eales said: ‘We are naturally disappointed that Dan has chosen to leave.’
As revealed by Mail Sport on Sunday, Ashworth has told Newcastle he wants to leave the club as the Red Devils prepare to launch a move for the sporting director.
Now, in a statement on the club website, the Magpies confirmed the decision and insisted they were ‘disappointed’ with the transfer chief.
A message from Darren Earles, the club CEO, also read: ‘We are naturally disappointed that Dan has chosen to leave, however our exciting journey doesn’t stop and the process to recruit a new sporting director will begin immediately.
Dan Ashworth has asked to leave Newcastle amid interest from Manchester United
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is eager to appoint the highly-rated Ashworth as United’s sporting director but the clubs must agree a significant compensation fee
A statement on the club website confirmed the decision to place Ashworth on gardening leave
‘We thank Dan for his efforts at Newcastle United and we wish him and his family well for the future.’
Mail Sport understands the period of gardening leave written into the sporting director’s current contract would take him towards the January transfer window of 2026.
That means Man United will have to negotiate an enhanced compensation fee to release him early or meet the terms of his contract and wait for his gardening leave to expire.
As Mail Sport reported last week, developments are expected to come to a head in the coming days.
It is thought Man United…