It is said that Newcastle United’s look for a new sporting director is at a “advanced stage.”
The Magpies have been looking for a candidate for Dan Ashworth, who is on gardening leave because Manchester United made an offer.
Newcastle is currently demanding a £21 million compensation fee in order to free Ashworth from his deal, which would otherwise keep him from joining another Premier League club until January 2026.
Ashworth won’t be able to join Old Trafford until after the summer transfer window in 2024. This is because Manchester United want to lower the price they are asking for the 53-year-old.
It is thought that the Magpies are getting close to hiring someone to replace Ashworth. They have hired the top executive search company Odgers Berndtson to help them with the process.
The latest name to be linked with the job is Paolo Maldini, a legend at AC Milan. Other names that have been mentioned are Phil Giles, Tiago Pinto, Rui Pedro Braz, and Paul Mitchell.
The Athletic recently said that the club’s search for a new sports director is “at an advanced stage…but not yet complete,” and that they hope to find the right person “soon.”
Manchester United may be able to get Ashworth faster now that this news comes out, but Newcastle may not change their mind if a replacement is found for the former Brighton & Hove Albion player.
Newcastle will trust Steve Nickson, who is in charge of recruiting, to lead the summer hiring drive. Head coach Eddie Howe and his team will also play a part. They signed Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Chris Wood, and Matt Targett in January 2022, which was their last transfer window without a sports director.
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