Newcastle United has sought advice regarding the role of sporting director as they approach finalizing an appointment. The club is in the process of finding a successor for Dan Ashworth, who was placed on leave in February after expressing his desire to join Manchester United. Newcastle is aiming for a substantial compensation package to release Ashworth from his contract by January 2026.
As talks stall, Ashworth is reportedly planning to resort to arbitration to enable his move to Old Trafford. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a new co-owner of Manchester United, has criticized Newcastle’s demands as “ridiculous” and “utterly unreasonable.”
While the dispute continues, efforts to fill Ashworth’s role have been progressing, with Dougie Freedman from Crystal Palace reportedly leading the pack. Additionally, Howe’s remarks suggest that an appointment may be imminent, even if inadvertently.
