The head of Newcastle United is thought to have made the decision to depart from St. James’ Park after receiving an offer from the Red Devils to take on the role of first-ever sports director.
Although Ashworth wants to move to Old Trafford and has a relationship with Sir Dave Brailsford, the director of sport at Ineos, who is managing the transition after Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought a 25% share in the team, Newcastle had hoped they could persuade Ashworth to stay.
Newcastle is anticipated to want a “significant” amount from United when they negotiate a compensation package for Ashworth.
Rebuilding United’s scouting department will be Ashworth’s first and most important task, according to ESPN, and he already knows who he wants to lead the new organization.
Ashworth first met Sam Jewell, the son of former Bradford and Wigan manager Paul Jewell, in 2018 and is forward to work with him again as Brighton’s head of recruitment.
Two years before to Ashworth’s arrival in 2016, Jewell was first hired by the Seagulls as their head of Under-21 recruitment. However, in the eight years that have passed, he has risen up the ranks.
He played a significant role in the successful transfers of Alexis Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo, and Julio Enciso that Brighton has made in recent years.
A plethora of young South American talent has been discovered by Jewell, who signed them for nominal amounts before offloading them for enormous profits.
United wants to finalize a deal for Ashworth before launching a formal pursuit for Jewell.
Although Ashworth has high regard for the Brighton player and believes he would be a perfect fit for United’s new-look squad, Ineos has also highlighted the player’s success on the south coast. Jewell may not have been Ashworth and United’s first pick for the position, though, as other reports indicate former sporting directors Paul Mitchell of Tottenham, Southampton, and Monaco were also considering the position. Mitchell, however, is not interested in taking on the role, which focuses solely on recruitment, and has declined United’s offer.
