Dan Ashworth is actively challenging Newcastle United to release him from his extended gardening leave, aiming to commence his new role at Manchester United. He argues that he was dismissed rather than voluntarily resigning.
Both Ashworth and Manchester United have called for an arbitration hearing set for later this month, due to their inability to settle on a compensation fee with Newcastle United. Initially, Newcastle demanded around £20 million to terminate Ashworth’s gardening leave prematurely, while Manchester United countered with an offer of less than £3 million. Negotiations have since stalled.
Telegraph Sport reports that Ashworth believes his departure from Newcastle was mishandled, giving him grounds to claim that his gardening leave is invalid.
His main contention is that he was not asked to submit a formal resignation by Newcastle’s chief executive, Darren Eales, and thus should not have been placed on gardening leave. Ashworth will argue that he was effectively removed from his position rather than resigning voluntarily.
Newcastle United is reportedly shocked by Ashworth’s attempt to circumvent his contracted gardening leave and plans to contest this at arbitration. They assert their right to prevent Ashworth from starting at Manchester United until late 2025 unless a compensation agreement is reached.
The situation took a turn when an email from Ashworth to Manchester United’s incoming chief executive, Omar Berrada, was accidentally sent to his Newcastle address.
In the email, sent weeks before he officially informed Newcastle of his desire to leave, Ashworth expressed his interest in the Manchester United position. This suggests that secret negotiations had been occurring, potentially constituting an illegal approach since Newcastle had not granted permission for these discussions.
In the same email, Ashworth allegedly shared confidential details about the agreement between Newcastle and Brighton that facilitated his move to the north east in 2022. Such unauthorized communications could trigger investigations from football authorities, though no formal complaints have been lodged with the Premier League or the Football Association as of yet.
Newcastle United is privately incensed, feeling misled by Ashworth’s assurances that no contact had occurred with Manchester United or Ineos, despite continuing to work under these conditions.
Sources suggest that Newcastle may seek a meeting with Manchester United before the arbitration hearing, aiming to compel a higher compensation offer. While Newcastle might be open to a compromise, the offers received thus far have been unsatisfactory.
The upcoming arbitration hearing remains a pivotal moment in this dispute. Both parties declined to comment when approached by Telegraph Sport. The outcome will not only determine Ashworth’s immediate professional future but could also set a precedent for how such contractual disputes are handled in the football industry. As this high-stakes negotiation unfolds, the football world watches closely, anticipating a resolution that could have far-reaching implications.
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