Sports

Newcastle United given permission to talk to Dan Ashworth over Director of Football role

Published

1 year ago

December 20, 2021

Credit - Dan Mullan via Getty Images: NUFC make approach for Ashworth over DoF role...

Since the Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle United back in October, the clubs owners have been searching for a new Director of Football to take the club forward in their new era – could Ashworth be the man?

Today, the Magpies have been given permission to speak to Brighton’s Dan Ashworth to take over the role after weeks of frustration trying to find the right person for the job.

In an exclusive report from The Athletic on Monday morning, it has been reported that Newcastle have been given permission to speak to Ashworth as Brighton follow their club procedures in letting staff discuss new deals with clubs, if an approach is made.

The Athletic state:

“The conduct of both Newcastle and Nolan Partners (who NUFC are using to help identify the ideal Director of Football), a firm that handled Ashworth’s last two moves and Brighton know well, is thought to have been faultless.”

As a publication, the Athletic have form in providing exclusives when it comes to backroom staff changes at St. James’ Park – they were the first to report on the appointment of Nick Hammond, as a temporary consultant to help advise the club as the searched for the right fit to take on the Director of Football role.

WHAT DOES THE MEAN FOR NUFC?

Since the long-awaiting departure of Mike Ashley, the club has once again become relevant as the new owners seem to be following a structured and considered approach after over a decade of neglect and energy sapping ownership that crushed all hope on Tyneside.

Ashley put his own business above the well-being of the club for years and made no official appointments apart from that of Lee Charnley and his Sports Direct cronies – Keith Bishop and Justin Barnes.

The decision for the new owners to bring in Nick Hammond on a interim basis shows the direction the club is heading and highlights the importance of the finding the right DOF to take Newcastle forward in a positive manner – especially given the widely publicised transfer budget that has become available.

Dan Ashworth could be the first of many fresh faces at SJP and represents progression at the club, much to the relief of everyone involved with the Magpies, most importantly, the supporters.

WHO IS DAN ASHWORTH?

Ashworth had a respectable career as a player and started his carer in the yellow shirt of Norwich City. Since his playing days, he has experienced a wide range of background roles. Including, the academy director at Peterborough United and the centre of excellence director at Cambridge United.

The 50-year-old then found himself assisting youth team manager Aidy Boothroyd before taking over as youth team manager when Boothroyd left – then Ashworth was promoted to be the club’s sporting and technical director back in December 2007.

Four years later, the ex-Canaries defender was appointed the FA’s Director of Elite Development – a massive role for somebody still developing a career after his playing career. In 2018, Ashworth applied to become Technical Director at Manchester United, before resigning from his role at the FA to become the new Technical Director at Brighton and Hove Albion.

While the approach made by Newcastle has been confirmed, the club are thought to still be looking for other candidates and will work closely with Nolan Partners, the recruitment firm hired by the club a few weeks ago, to help find a new DoF who is the correct fit for the role.

Ashworth is on a rolling contract at Brighton and if a subsequent deal is agreed between himself and Newcastle United, the Magpies will have to negotiate a settlement agreement with the club from Sussex.

The process of finding a new Director of Football is a long one and has many layers to it, meaning the appointment is unlikely to be made in time for the fast-approaching January transfer window but is expected to be confirmed within the next few weeks.

WHAT IS A DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL?

In days gone by, the DoF used to be directly involved in almost every aspect of the club, be it training sessions, working on transfers and contracts or laying foundations for the future.

However, their responsibilities can vary from club to club, with some being heavily involved in all aspects of the business, including the hiring and firing of managers, scouting, recruitment of players, long-term strategy and the improvement of facilities.

In other cases, the role can be slightly more specialised, depending on an individual’s particular talents.

Thoughts?

Are you happy with the approach of the new owners? Will Ashworth be a good fit at NUFC? Can Howe improve the squad enough in January to help guide the club to safety?

Join in the conversation and have your say…

Related Topics:Director of Football Football Newcastle united nufc Premier League The Athletic

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Featured

Newcastle United to Reveal New Shirt Sponsor?

Published

2 weeks ago

March 13, 2023

Chris Tubman

footballinsider247 are reporting that the main shirt sponsor slot for Newcastle United is expected to be filled by airline SAUDI, who sponsored Newcastle’s mid-season tour of their owners’ homeland in December.

They state ‘This site revealed in February that there is frustration at St James’ Park that they have inherited a kit deal with Castore worth just £5m per year with no break clause and several seasons left to run.’

Newcastle’s recently appointed CEO Darren Eales has already previously expressed that the club at looking at all commercial opportunities and fans on Twitter were keen to mock up their expectation for the new shirts, see below and let us know your thoughts and also see our below video on how NUFC can increase commercial avenues..

Eddie Howe’s team are currently in a strong position to achieve a European slot which would increase revenue into the club allowing more spend whilst staying within Financial Fair Play which is something Howe has spoken about on several occasions as they look to stay within. If the club do reach a European slot it should help significantly with recruitment in the summer by making it a more attractive proposition to any incoming targets.

What do you think of the kits – let us know on our facebook page and join in on the conversation.

You can also download our FREE app – https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates

Credit: NUFC kit concept – twitter

Featured

Amazon filming Newcastle United for “All or Nothing” style documentary

Published

2 months ago

February 8, 2023

Lewis Thompson

Amazon Prime are currently filming behind-the-scenes footage at Newcastle United for a new documentary.

The docu-series will provide an insight into the club and its efforts to secure a top-four finish and a piece of silverware in the 2022-23 season.

Reports today revealed that camera crews have been filming a four-part documentary for their All or Nothing series. Sky Sports’ Keith Downie confirmed that the series will cover the club and the new owners as they attempt to qualify for the Champions League and win a trophy.

The All or Nothing series has previously documented other Premier League Clubs including Manchester City, Arsenal, and Spurs as well as the Brazilian national team, Juventus, and the All Blacks of rugby.

Something I mentioned last night on @tfNUFC: Camera crews have been filming behind-the-scenes at Newcastle United for a four-part documentary to be shown on Amazon.
The series will chart the club & its owners as they attempt to win a trophy & qualify for The Champ League #NUFC

— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) February 8, 2023

Newcastle face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final on February 26 at Wembley.

🗓️ 26.02.23@ManUtd 🆚 @NUFC #EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/V23zWPDoxP

— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) February 1, 2023

The Magpies have featured three times in Europe’s most prestigious competition.

Most recently in the 2003-04 season as they reached the third qualifying round, eventually losing on penalties to Serbian side FK Partizan.

The season before the Toon finished third in the 2002-03 Champions League group stages, winning twice against Bayer Leverkusen and drawing with Inter Milan 2-2 at the San Siro. The lineup that night; Given, Solano, O’Brien, Dyer, Shearer (C), Bellamy, Speed, Griffin, Hughes, Dabizas and Viana.

The series is expected to air later this year and will be available on Amazon Prime.

Based on previous seasons, you can expect exclusive access to training sessions, team meetings and match days, giving fans an in-depth look at what goes on behind the scenes on a day-to-day basis at Newcastle United.

It is set to be an incredible storyline and one that should provide fans with some real insight into what it takes to compete at the top level of professional football.

What do you think Newcastle fans?

Does this excite you or do you stand more with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp who once said the cameras could be intrusive to the dressing room when he turned down the offer from Amazon In 2018?

Join the conversation on our Facebook page…

Sports

Newcastle target rejects Everton move following £45m bid.

Published

2 months ago

January 30, 2023

Lewis Thompson

Everton have made a £40million bid with £5m in add-ons to sign Connor Gallagher from Chelsea.

This comes after Newcastle completed the signing of Anthony Gordon, the club’s second most expensive transfer behind Alexander Isak.

Everton received an initial fee of £40m plus add-ons that could increase the deal to £45m.

EXCL: Everton have submitted a bid to sign Conor Gallagher from Chelsea. It’s £40m proposal plus £5m add ons. 🚨🔵 #EFC

Chelsea will make a decision soon as there are also other clubs interested in Gallagher — and player has to decide his future too. pic.twitter.com/xZeuGqaR01

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 30, 2023

The Toffees currently sit 19th in the Premier League and are looking to reinvest the money from the Gordon deal to sign much-needed players under newly appointed manager Sean Dyche.

But, multiple sources have reported today that Gallagher is not actively pushing for a move and has no intention of going to Goodison Park. However, with Chelsea having met the record-breaking €120m release clause for World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, Gallagher may be forced to leave the club if the transfer is complete.

🚨| Conor Gallagher is not interested in a move to Everton 🔵 pic.twitter.com/0CYzXjBoBd

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 30, 2023

This leaves Newcastle an option as the player would prefer a move to a top-six club.

This morning, Eddie Howe said, “We’ll see what we can do to try & bring a player in. There’s no guarantees. In terms of permanent signings, it will be very difficult. We’ll look at a potential loan. But it’s got to be the right player & not one for the sake of it”.

Due to financial fair play, the only way Newcastle could sign the player is through a loan, with an obligation to buy the player for at least £45m, the same price they paid for Anthony Gordon.

Gallagher has been playing regular Premier League football over the last two seasons. Since returning to his parent club Chelsea, the 22-year-old has been linked with a move away to numerous Premier League clubs.

Last season he was named Crystal Palace’s Player of the Season by their fans. He also won the Player of the Month award twice, Goal of the Month once, and was awarded the Young Player of Year at the 2022 London Football Awards.

In the same season, he made 36 appearances scoring eight goals and registering three assists that earned Palace a 12th-place finish, one point behind Newcastle.