Report: What Dan Ashworth has now privately told people about leaving Newcastle United

The football world watched with fascination as Dan Ashworth’s career took him from Newcastle’s ambitious project to Manchester United’s chaotic rebuild, only to end in professional limbo.

Now, as the 54-year-old prepares for an unlikely return to the Football Association, insiders reveal a sporting director grappling with regret over decisions that derailed what was once considered English football’s golden touch.

Ashworth’s ill-fated move from St James’ Park to Old Trafford in early 2024 became one of the most protracted and expensive recruitment sagas in Premier League history. After months of legal wrangling, Manchester United eventually paid £4.1 million in total compensation – including Newcastle’s settlement and Ashworth’s severance – for just five months of service that yielded no tangible results.

What began as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s marquee appointment to spearhead United’s new era instead became a cautionary tale about the perils of premature career moves in football’s cutthroat executive arena.

Behind the scenes, Ashworth has confided to colleagues that leaving Newcastle ranks among his biggest professional regrets. His 18-month tenure on Tyneside had positioned him as architect of the Magpies’ ascendance, working in harmony with Eddie Howe to blend data-driven recruitment with the manager’s tactical vision.

Together, they oversaw signings like Sven Botman and Alexander Isak that transformed Newcastle into Champions League qualifiers. The sporting director’s meticulous long-term planning contrasted sharply with Manchester United’s reactive approach, making his decision to abandon the project all the more perplexing in hindsight.

Newcastle’s response to Ashworth’s departure demonstrated the club’s growing sophistication. After initially struggling to replace his multifaceted role, they secured former Monaco and RB Leipzig recruiter Paul Mitchell – a executive whose global contacts and progressive methods have since eased early tensions with Howe.

Mitchell’s impending first full transfer window promises to showcase his vision for the club, further underscoring how Newcastle moved forward while Ashworth found himself in professional purgatory.

The Financial and Professional Costs of Ashworth’s Move

Ashworth’s impending return to the FA as director of football operations marks both a homecoming and rehabilitation project.

Having previously served as director of elite development between 2012-2018 – overseeing England’s youth revolution that produced a World Cup and multiple age-group trophies – he understands the organization’s culture and challenges.

The role allows him to rebuild his reputation away from club football’s relentless scrutiny while influencing the English game’s broader direction.

Yet questions linger about whether Ashworth can recapture the magic that made him one of football’s most respected executives.

His Newcastle exit and Manchester United debacle exposed vulnerabilities in assessing club projects and managing transitions – crucial skills for someone now tasked with shaping English football’s future.

The FA hierarchy clearly believes in his abilities, but the football community will watch closely to see if this second stint can match his first tenure’s success.

For Newcastle, the Ashworth chapter serves as validation of their structured approach. While losing a key executive could have derailed lesser clubs, their swift recovery and continued progress demonstrate institutional strength beyond any individual.

As Mitchell prepares for a pivotal summer window, Newcastle’s recruitment machine operates with renewed purpose – a testament to the organization Ashworth helped build before his premature departure.

As Ashworth begins his FA tenure, his story stands as a reminder that in modern football, even the brightest minds can misjudge career moves. The grass isn’t always greener – sometimes it’s merely different turf with its own unique challenges.

His journey from Brighton visionary to Newcastle architect, Manchester United flop, and now FA rehabilitator may yet have positive chapters ahead, but the road back to football’s summit appears longer than anyone anticipated when he left Tyneside with such high expectations.