Ashworth preferred Manchester United to hire a Premier League manager over Amorim before his £25 million dismissal.
Former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth reportedly preferred appointing a Premier League manager over Ruben Amorim before his dismissal.
United took several months to finalize Ashworth’s departure from Newcastle after Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS selected him as their ideal candidate for the sporting director role last summer. However, concerns about his decision-making emerged, with reports from The Daily Mail in December suggesting that Ashworth lacked assertiveness in player recruitment and frequently delegated responsibilities.
It was also reported that Ashworth was indecisive about potential managerial candidates if Erik ten Hag were to leave. While he tentatively recommended former Chelsea boss Graham Potter and Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, the club ultimately opted for Amorim from Sporting Lisbon following Ten Hag’s sacking. Some insiders believed Ashworth’s tendency to delegate was a deliberate effort to foster inclusivity in decision-making, but others saw it as a lack of authority in his role.
Despite high expectations, Amorim has struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford, securing only four wins in his first 14 Premier League matches. United’s recent 1-0 loss to Tottenham left them in 15th place, and improvement is unlikely before the summer transfer window when Amorim can bring in his preferred players.
According to The Sun, Ashworth had advised United’s leadership to hire Brentford manager Thomas Frank instead of Amorim. However, his recommendation was ignored, with United’s chief executive, Omar Berrada, ultimately backing Amorim’s appointment.
Ashworth’s previous managerial appointments—Eddie Howe at Newcastle, Gareth Southgate for England, and Graham Potter at Brighton—were all seen as successful, making his disagreement over Amorim’s hiring noteworthy. His departure, along with the financial burden of sacking Ten Hag and recruiting Amorim, has cost United £25 million. Some of these expenses have been offset by widespread staff layoffs at the club.
