The football world erupted yesterday with the news that Dan Ashworth has already left Manchester United after his role as sporting director was terminated by mutual agreement on Saturday.
Ashworth only started at United on July 1st but was a bad fit, according to several reports. His unofficial role in pushing to keep Erik ten Hag beyond the summer, his poor contribution to the search to replace him and poor summer player recruitment, in particular the acquisition of Joshua Zirkzee, have all been cited as reasons why part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe quickly reached the end of his tether with the former Newcastle man.
As the post-mortem rumbles on, attention is growing as to who might replace Ashworth.
Some outlets, including The MEN and The Athletic, have noted that given United’s precarious position regarding the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules (PSR), it is possible Ratcliffe may choose not to replace Ashworth directly.
Promotion of technical director Jason Wilcox, who works well with CEO Omar Berrada, or the permanent appointment of Christopher Vivell, the interim director of recruitment, are among the options for an internal reshuffle.
While this outcome would no doubt appeal to majority shareholders of the club the Glazer family, who have often promoted from within in the past, it does not fit with Sir Jim’s philosophy of recruiting the best in class in key positions such as sporting director.
If finances permit, the most likely candidate to replace Ashworth is Crystal Palace’s Dougie Freedman.
As The Sun points out, Freedman came close to getting the job when Ashworth pipped him at the post. He has done an exceptional job at Selhurst Park, finding players such as Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi and Michael Olise.
Reports emerged yesterday that Atletico Madrid man Andrea Berta is in line for the job. He has been at the Spanish club since 2017 and is credited with the acquisition of players such as Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who he bought for €20 million and sold for €70m just a year later, Alvaro Morata and Matheus Cunha.
He has also overseen some dubious purchases, such as €75 million for Julian Alvarez and in particular an ill-advised €127.2m splurge on 19-year-old João Felix.
Next favourite is Juventus man Cristiano Giuntoli, with Lee Congerton, Paolo Maldini and Julian Ward all in the running.
Paul Mitchell, Ashowrth’s replacement at Newcastle, comes in next, but it seems that ship may have sailed.
The Sun also mentions the possibility that United could consider going back to Ralf Rangnick, now manager of the Austrian national team. Rangnick was interim manager at United and famously claimed the club needed “open heart surgery” to get it back to the top of world football.
The comments were a nail in the coffin of his relationship with the old executive structure at the club, but proved to be correct. Rangnick’s promised consultancy role was ended before it began, with rumours that he and Erik ten Hag could not work together. So although unlikely, it is not altogether absurd to suggest that he could be approached by the new regime.
Whether he would be open to returning to the club after such an ignominious exit remains to be seen.
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
