Dan Ashworth was reportedly watching the club’s defeat against Nottingham Forest with his family when he was called in for his brutal dismissal.
Ashworth, who joined Manchester United from Newcastle United at a cost of some £3m just five months ago, was let go after overseeing only one transfer window and the contract extension and subsequent firing of manager Erik ten Hag.
It was quite the saga, Ashworth was placed on gardening leave by Newcastle before he was allowed to join the Red Devils over the summer. His first major decision to make was deciding the future of Ten Hag.
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Ten Hag had looked doomed to be sacked – that was until he beat bitter rivals Manchester City to win the FA Cup. Ashworth was quoted on the official announcement of the Dutchman’s extended contract in June.
As a result, he was involved in United’s summer, with Ten Hag splashing the cash on Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs De Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee – with Ashworth quoted in each announcement.
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He was also involved in the decision to sack Ten Hag while the club was languishing in the bottom half of the table with a mere 11 points from nine matches. Under the leadership of Ten Hag’s permanent successor, Ruben Amorim, they have managed to secure only four points from four games.
Amorim experienced his second consecutive league loss on Saturday, as individual mistakes led to United’s 3-2 defeat against Nuno Espirito Santo’s team. However, things took a turn for the worse for Ashworth post-match, reports the Mirror.
Ashworth wasn’t keen on Amorim, according to reports, preferring Gareth Southgate as United’s next permanent boss.
The Dail Mail reports that Omar Berrada, United’s CEO, called Ashworth from the directors’ box to deliver the news of his sacking. The former Newcastle chief had been at the game with his family, witnessing goals from Nikola Milenkovic, Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood seal United’s defeat.
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The same outlet has reported that part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford, in consultation with long-standing board member Joel Glazer, have made the decision regarding Ashworth’s departure.
Given Ashworth’s tenure of less than six months, he is expected to receive a smaller severance package, with the club reportedly not rushing to find an immediate successor.
“Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as sporting director of Manchester United by mutual agreement,” announced United in a statement regarding the departure. “We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during a transitional period for the club and wish him well for the future.”