Inside Dan Ashworth’s shock Man United exit: What irritated Ratcliffe and how it ended

Manchester United’s decision to hire Dan Ashworth as sporting director only to dismiss him five months later is a stunning development that has left staff at the club in shock.Inside Dan Ashworth’s shock Man United exit: What irritated Ratcliffe and how it endedhttps://wordpress.com/

Ashworth attended the under-21 game against Sparta Prague at Carrington on Saturday morning and watched the senior team’s match against Nottingham Forest from the Old Trafford directors’ box, appearing to go about his usual duties. However, just 20 minutes after the final whistle, he took an unusual route out of the directors’ lounge beneath the stands, walking with chief operating officer Collette Roche through the press conference room. His destination was Omar Berrada’s office, where he was informed by the CEO that his brief time at United was coming to an end.

Ashworth had privately indicated that working within Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s newly formed football leadership team was challenging, and his exit may bring some sense of relief to those involved.

In hindsight, there were subtle signs of tension, particularly when Ashworth arrived ahead of the loss to Nottingham Forest, with his family members in attendance. The 53-year-old is likely to have no shortage of future offers, with some suggesting that Arsenal, who are currently seeking a new sporting director, could be a potential destination. Arsenal’s managing director, Richard Garlick, has a longstanding relationship with Ashworth from their time at West Bromwich Albion, though there is no concrete indication of any talks at this stage.

Ashworth’s departure, first reported by The Athletic on Sunday, was prompted by those at the top of Manchester United. Sources indicate that the decision was made collectively by Ratcliffe, Berrada, Sir Dave Brailsford, and co-owner Joel Glazer. Berrada’s role, which overlaps with football operations, played a part in the decision-making process.

To understand the shock exit, The Athletic spoke with several sources close to the situation who requested anonymity. United has not commented on the specifics but maintains that the decision was mutual. Ashworth has been approached for a statement.

Signs of discord were evident when Ashworth was expected to make a significant contribution. When Ratcliffe sought advice on finding a replacement for Erik ten Hag, he turned to Ashworth, who had been brought in from Newcastle for his expertise in building structures. However, it’s been suggested that Ashworth did not provide a clear, decisive plan, and his proposed list of candidates was dominated by individuals with Premier League experience, including Eddie Howe, Marco Silva, and Thomas Frank, with Graham Potter mentioned as a possible interim option.

Ratcliffe, however, wanted a more dynamic and assertive appointment—someone with the charisma to handle the immense responsibility of leading one of the world’s biggest clubs. The fact that Ashworth, after weighing in on Ten Hag’s contract extension and every summer signing, did not contribute to the announcement of Ruben Amorim’s appointment raised eyebrows.

It’s understood that Ashworth had limited involvement in the decision to hire Amorim, with Berrada playing a more significant role in the negotiations with Sporting CP. Berrada, not Ashworth, was the one to fly to Lisbon to meet Sporting’s president after Ten Hag was sacked.

Ratcliffe had met Amorim the week prior and, after getting on well with him, backed him as the ideal candidate for United’s new head coach. Despite Ashworth’s involvement in other decisions, Ratcliffe felt that he should have been more proactive and assertive in securing a new manager, rather than relying on familiar names.

The situation became more tense when Ashworth suggested bringing in a data company to assess candidates for the manager’s role. Ratcliffe reportedly reacted negatively, suggesting that it was Ashworth’s responsibility to know such matters and to assess candidates internally. This moment highlighted the divide in their approaches to managing the club.

Ashworth had overseen the summer transfer window, with several signings influenced by Ten Hag, such as Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt, totaling around £200 million. However, some of the signings were seen as more aligned with the club’s interests, including Joshua Zirkzee, who had been on Newcastle’s radar earlier in the year.

The situation raises questions about what Ratcliffe expected from Ashworth and whether enough due diligence was done before his appointment. Those who have worked with Ashworth describe him as a capable operations manager, not necessarily a transfer expert. He had earned respect at Carrington for being highly intelligent, honest, and a strong leader in sports operations, which makes his sudden departure all the more surprising.

Following Ashworth’s exit, Brailsford, Berrada, and technical director Jason Wilcox addressed the staff at Carrington to explain the reasoning behind the decision. The atmosphere at United is described as “very low” due to ongoing cost-cutting measures, including 250 redundancies and the cancellation of the traditional office Christmas party. Nevertheless, Berrada’s increased visibility around the club has been appreciated.

One significant factor behind Ashworth’s departure was reportedly his reluctance to reduce jobs within his own area, something Ratcliffe could not overlook as he sought to streamline the club. Berrada, in contrast, has been involved in daily operations and is seen as someone who values efficiency and improving practices across the club.

Ratcliffe, who is 73, has shown he is in a hurry to make changes. He had once described Ashworth as “one of the top sporting directors in the world,” but after assessing the situation, Ratcliffe believed it was necessary to act swiftly and make a change rather than wait until the end of the season. This move reflects his determination to act decisively when things aren’t working, even if it means making difficult decisions along the way.

Ashworth’s sudden dismissal will inevitably lead to scrutiny of Ratcliffe and the broader Manchester United hierarchy. Some believe Ratcliffe’s increased involvement in the club’s operations is a sign of overreach, while others maintain that he simply wants to stay informed about all major decisions.

The cost of hiring Ashworth, allowing him to influence a £200 million summer spend, and then letting him go so soon is a major misstep, especially as the club raises ticket prices to generate additional revenue. Morale within the club is still suffering, and it remains to be seen whether Ashworth’s role will be filled or if other figures, such as Wilcox or Vivell, will take on more responsibilities.

Despite the turmoil, United’s leadership will need to address these challenges and move forward with a new strategy, one that aligns more closely with Ratcliffe’s vision for the club.