Report: Ashworth joins Arsenal’s list of potential Edu replacements

According to ESPN, Dan Ashworth has emerged as a potential candidate for Arsenal’s vacant sporting director role.

The 53-year-old recently departed Manchester United by “mutual consent” after just five months, reportedly due to strained relations with co-owner Jim Ratcliffe. His exit is surprising, given United’s considerable efforts to recruit him from Newcastle United, including waiting out a lengthy gardening leave and paying £5 million in compensation.

Ashworth’s link to Arsenal seems to stem from his long-standing relationship with Richard Garlick, who became the club’s Managing Director this summer. The pair previously worked closely at West Bromwich Albion from 2010 to 2012, where Ashworth was sporting and technical director, while Garlick handled football administration.

After West Brom, Ashworth served as the FA’s director of elite development before joining Brighton in 2019, later moving to Newcastle.

Arsenal are seeking a replacement for Edu Gaspar, who departed unexpectedly last month and is reportedly bound for a multi-club role with Evangelos Marinakis, owner of Nottingham Forest, Olympiacos, and Rio Ave. In the interim, Jason Ayto, Edu’s understudy, is holding the fort and may be a contender himself.

Real Sociedad’s Roberto Olabe has emerged as a leading contender due to his impending availability and impressive track record in talent acquisition.

Per Mertesacker, the club’s Academy Manager, and ex-Gunner Tomas Rosicky, who holds an equivalent role at Sparta Prague, are familiar names amongst a list that also includes Luis Campos (PSG), Phil Giles (Brentford), Simon Rolfes (Bayer Leverkusen) and Tim Steidten (West Ham).

Time will tell how much truth there is to these rumours…