When Dan Ashworth gave his opening speech to Newcastle’s recruitment team at a hotel overlooking the River Tyne, he told them he would not be at the club forever. There was, he said, an optimal period for a sporting director to do his work before leaving with his processes in place.
He, nor anyone connected to Newcastle, believed that time would come just 20 months later. The truth is, Ashworth’s work at St James’ Park is not done. Far from it, in fact. And that, in part, is one of the reasons he will likely leave for Manchester United.