Dan Ashworth departed his role as sporting director at Newcastle United after he joined the Magpies from Brighton & Hove Albion back in 2022.
Manchester United are understood to have agreed a compensation package with Newcastle which would allow the 52-year-old to begin work at Old Trafford immediately.
Ashworth’s move to Old Trafford has finally been completed after protracted negotiations and the Geordie side were keen on one established name to replace the Englishman but it appears they
Newcastle miss out to Manchester United for key director
HITC understands that Erik ten Hag’s United have also agreed terms with Christopher Vivell to become their new director of recruitment.
Sources have confirmed to HITC that the short-term appointment of Vivell was the first major decision sanctioned by Ashworth as he gets his feet firmly under the table at Old Trafford.
Technical director Jason Wilcox had been assessing their options to head up their recruitment department, which included Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman – but they have opted for Vivell, who was most recently at Chelsea for a six-month spell up until last summer.
Before his short stint at Chelsea, Vivell was the technical director at RB Leipzig and the German looks set to be a key player in the club’s recruitment plans this summer.
Newcastle miss out on Vivell
HITC understands that Newcastle were one of the sides to have expressed an interest in Vivell as a replacement for Ashworth.
It is also our understanding that Vivell had strong interest from elsewhere with clubs in Italy, Spain, Germany and the Saudi Pro League all keen.
The Magpies also looked at Freedman for the role but the Englishman turned down the overtures from Newcastle and decided to stay put at Selhurst Park.
It has been a summer of frustrations so far at St James’ Park as the Magpies frantically attempted to comply with PSR this summer as Liverpool made an enquiry for winger Anthony Gordon.
