PIF could hand Dan Ashworth olive branch after bitter Newcastle United exit with job offer

Former Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth is reportedly in talks for a new role after his brief and tumultuous stint at Manchester United.

Ashworth, who has been out of work since leaving Old Trafford earlier this year, is now in negotiations to join Al-Nassr, a prominent Saudi Pro League club owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF)—the same entity that controls Newcastle United. This potential move would mark a surprising twist in Ashworth’s career, reuniting him with the PIF, albeit in a different capacity.

Al-Nassr, one of three Saudi clubs majority-owned by PIF, boasts a star-studded squad featuring global icons like Cristiano Ronaldo, Aymeric Laporte, and Sadio Mane.

If the deal goes through, Ashworth would assume the role of sporting director, overseeing the club’s transfer strategy and player recruitment, backed by PIF’s substantial financial resources. The 54-year-old has been absent from the football world since his departure from Manchester United in December, which was described as a “mutual agreement.”

However, according to Sportitalia, discussions are now underway for Ashworth to relocate to the Middle East, potentially linking up with former Manchester United star Ronaldo in Riyadh.

Ashworth’s connection to PIF dates back to 2021 when he was appointed as one of the first major hires following the Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle United. Recognized as one of the best sporting directors in the country, Ashworth was poached from Brighton, where he had built a strong reputation for his work in player recruitment and club development.

After a period of gardening leave, he officially joined Newcastle in 2022, playing a key role in shaping the club’s long-term strategy. However, his tenure at St. James’ Park ended acrimoniously when he expressed a desire to join Manchester United, leading to another period of gardening leave before a compensation deal, believed to be worth up to £3 million, was agreed upon.

Ashworth’s move to Manchester United was part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ambitious overhaul of the club’s football operations. Alongside CEO Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox, Ashworth was seen as a high-profile appointment aimed at revitalizing the club’s fortunes.

However, his time at Old Trafford lasted just five months, with his exit officially attributed to a mutual decision. Ratcliffe later hinted at underlying issues, describing the situation as a matter of “chemistry” and admitting that the decision to part ways was a mistake.

“They were just mistakes,” Ratcliffe confessed in an interview with The Telegraph. “It’s a journey, and there are a lot of decisions that we have to make over the course of the journey. We’re not going to get them all right.”

Since leaving Manchester United, Ashworth has taken on a consultancy role with Warwickshire County Cricket Club, keeping him involved in sports administration while he considers his next move.

His name had also been linked with the soon-to-be-vacant sporting director role at Arsenal, but it now appears that his future lies in Saudi Arabia. The potential move to Al-Nassr would not only reunite Ashworth with PIF but also place him at the helm of a club with ambitious plans to dominate both domestically and on the continental stage.

For Ashworth, this opportunity represents a chance to rebuild his reputation and continue his work in shaping the future of a high-profile club. His experience at the FA, Brighton, Newcastle, and briefly at Manchester United has given him a wealth of knowledge and expertise, making him an attractive candidate for Al-Nassr’s ambitious project.

The club’s ownership is determined to elevate the Saudi Pro League’s global standing, and Ashworth’s appointment would signal their intent to compete with Europe’s elite.

As negotiations progress, the football world will be watching closely to see if Ashworth’s next chapter unfolds in Saudi Arabia. His potential move to Al-Nassr would not only mark a new beginning for the experienced sporting director but also highlight the growing influence of Saudi football on the global stage.

For PIF, securing Ashworth’s services would further strengthen their football portfolio, adding another layer of expertise to their ambitious plans for Al-Nassr and the Saudi Pro League.