Dan Ashworth Sacked: Why Sir Jim Ratcliffe Feared the Sporting Director’s ‘Infuriating’ Comments

Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth’s tenure at Old Trafford has come to an abrupt end, lasting just five months. Ashworth’s departure follows a series of high-profile decisions by the club, including the sacking of manager Erik ten Hag in October.

Ashworth’s Short and Tumultuous Time at Man Utd

Ashworth joined Man Utd from fellow Premier League side Newcastle United in a deal worth around £3 million in January 2023. As part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s takeover and restructuring of the club, Ashworth was tasked with overhauling the team’s recruitment and performance. However, his time at the club has been marked by controversy.

Ten Hag’s Fate and Blaming the Past

In his brief time at Man Utd, Ashworth and CEO Omar Berrada were seemingly critical of the decision to keep Erik ten Hag, despite a poor seventh-place finish the previous season. According to The Daily Mail, in an interview with media outlets in early September, Ashworth and Berrada stated that the decision to retain ten Hag was made before their arrival.

‘In early September the sporting director, who left the club on Sunday morning after less than five months in the role in a stunning development, gave an interview with chief executive Omar Berrada to a number of media outlets.

‘Within it, both pointed out that the decision to retain the Dutchman – which ended up backfiring spectacularly – was not theirs and was taken prior to their arrivals.’

The report notes that these comments “went down like a lead balloon” with Ratcliffe. The billionaire co-owner attempted to clarify the situation a month later while aboard his yacht in Monaco, stating that the final decision on ten Hag’s future was not his.

‘In an appearance on his yacht in Monaco, the billionaire petrochemicals magnate told the BBC that the decision on Ten Hag’s future was ‘not my call’ and when asked if he still had faith in the Ajax boss he added: ‘I don’t want to answer that question’.’

Personality Clash and Ratcliffe’s Growing Discontent

ESPN has reported that Sir Jim Ratcliffe quickly grew “unimpressed” by Ashworth. Sources claim that Ratcliffe believed Ashworth lacked the necessary personality and skills to successfully navigate the pressures of the job. .

‘One source told ESPN that Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United’s minority owner and principal decision-maker, had quickly become unimpressed by Ashworth, believing he lacked the personality and skill set to do the job.

‘So rather than allow an unsatisfactory situation to deteriorate, a decision was made to act now in a dramatic damage-limitation exercise.

‘Sources said that relations between Ashworth and Ratcliffe had been “rocky” for weeks, but that the swiftness of the decision to part company on Sunday morning has surprised many at the club.’

More Coverage on F365

MORE MAN UTD COVERAGE ON F365…
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👉 Dan Ashworth ‘tipping point’ revealed as he’s pushed to Man Utd exit by Amorim

The sudden departure of Ashworth adds another layer of uncertainty to an already turbulent season for Man Utd.

What do you think of Dan Ashworth’s departure from Man Utd? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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