Dan Ashworth tried to cover his tracks by deleting the email he sent to his Newcastle account revealing secret talks with Manchester United – and then claimed comments by Eddie Howe had made his position untenable.
Mail Sport reported on Tuesday how Newcastle’s sporting director sent an email in early February to Omar Berrada – the incoming Man United chief executive – in which he made it clear he wanted to accept the offer of the same role at Old Trafford.
However, Ashworth sent a blind copy to his Newcastle email address before apparently realising the error and deleting the evidence. At this stage, Man United had not approached Newcastle and Ashworth had not informed his employers of the clandestine talks with a rival.
The subsequent discovery of the email by the club is embarrassing for Ashworth and Berrada, who was still on gardening leave from Manchester City. It could lead to a Premier League probe if a complaint is made.
In a further twist, we understand Ashworth then claimed comments made by Howe had made his position untenable. However, this was in relation to comments made by the head coach on February 16, one week after the secret exchange with Berrada that Ashworth thought he had erased.
Dan Ashworth tried to cover his tracks by deleting the email he sent to his Newcastle account revealing secret talks with Manchester United
He has been trying to push through a move to join Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Manchester United as sporting director
He sent an email in early February to Omar Berrada making it clear he wanted to join United, but Newcastle had not yet been approached
The story had broken about Ashworth being ready to defect to Man United and Howe was asked for his thoughts in a press conference.
He agreed with the suggestion it was a concern that Ashworth still had access to Newcastle’s transfer plans and financial information, and called for a swift resolution to the situation.
Ashworth believed this left him unable to work for the club. In reality, he had already accepted an offer from Man United.
On February 18, Ashworth informed Newcastle of his wish to join Man United and was placed on gardening leave, which Man United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has suggested expires towards the end of 2025. Newcastle are waiting for an acceptable offer to release him early.
It has since been reported that Ashworth is set to take Newcastle to arbitration in an effort to force the move, and a report in the Daily Telegraph on Wednesday says he will argue he was sacked by the club.
He also suggested comments by Eddie Howe had made his position at Newcastle untenable
Ashworth reportedly believes he should not have been put on gardening leave until he was asked to formerly write down his resignation
The report states that Ashworth believes ‘he was not asked to formally write down his resignation by chief executive Darren Eales and should not have been placed on gardening leave until he did so. He will therefore argue he was removed from his position rather than asking to step down’.
Arbitration is supposed to be a confidential process. Newcastle and Man United have not commented when approached by Mail Sport this week.
