SUMMARY
- Dan Ashworth, on gardening leave from Newcastle United, He is reportedly closer to joining Manchester United.
- Gardening leave is a policy where a departing employee is asked not to report to work for their notice period.
Sporting Director Dan Ashworth notified the Premier League club of his decision to resign, and Newcastle United confirmed in a statement that he will be placed on gardening leave. Since British businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe purchased a 25% share in the Old Trafford team, the 52-year-old has been heavily linked to a move to Manchester United.
Gardening leave, sometimes called garden leave, is a policy in the employment sector when a departing employee is told not to report to work for their notice period, perhaps because they have resigned or been fired. Also, he/she cannot share information with any other organization during their gardening leave.
What did Sir Jim Ratcliffe say about Dan Ashworth and Newcastle United?
Dan Ashworth, who was put on gardening leave by Newcastle United, seems to have moved one step further toward joining Manchester United. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Dave Brailsford of INEOS, who are supervising a restructure of Manchester United as their 25% ownership of the team has been completed, are anticipated to appoint a sporting director. Ashworth was formerly employed by the FA and Brighton.
Gardening leave is “a bit silly,” according to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the owner of Manchester United, with Dan Ashworth seeking “the biggest challenge at the biggest club in the world.” Ratcliffe plans to appoint Ashworth as his new transfer expert sooner than later.
“They’re silly numbers!”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe tells me he “can understand Newcastle Utd being upset” over Manchester Utd pursuit of sporting director Dan Ashworth but dismisses paying £20m to release him from gardening leave which “makes no sense” https://t.co/Myo5wUmryB pic.twitter.com/FNuTgpJ7CH
— Dan Roan (@danroan) February 22, 2024
Regarding Newcastle United Sir Jim said, “We have had words with Newcastle who would be disappointed. They have done really well since their new ownership. I understand why they would be disappointed but then you can’t criticise Dan because it’s a transient industry.”
It remains to be seen how this story unfolds in the coming weeks/months as Sir Jim and INEOS look to appoint even more people at Manchester United. The fans of the club are hopeful of a new and strong era beckoning on them and their beloved club.
Manchester United closing in on Dan Ashworth for the sporting director role
It’s thought that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Dave Brailsford of Ineos, whose acquisition of 25% of United is finished, are eyeing Ashworth as their next target. As United’s new CEO, Omar Berrada was previously hired from rival Manchester City, Ashworth is currently the subject of intense rumors to take over as sporting director.
BREAKING: Manchester United are planning to make a formal approach to Newcastle for Sporting Director Dan Ashworth 🚨
Ashworth is top of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s list to front up his new football operation at Old Trafford 🔴 pic.twitter.com/D5Gj6FOm1a
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 14, 2024
Dan Ashworth immediately put forward his resignation at Newcastle United after Manchester United approached him. “We are naturally disappointed that Dan has chosen to leave, however, our exciting journey doesn’t stop and the process to recruit a new sporting director will begin immediately,” said Darren Eales, Newcastle United’s chief executive.
His contract with Newcastle states that he cannot work for a rival club until 2026 until there is financial compensation, so it’s possible he won’t be able to join the team right away. However as per various reports, United are edging closer to a compensation deal with Newcastle United to get their new sporting director up and running at the club.