HITC understands that Dougie Freedman is pushing hard to replace Dan Ashworth as sporting director at Newcastle United.
Newcastle have been working on a new sporting director for the last few weeks, following Ashworth’s decision to leave the club after being approach by Manchester United.
Manchester United are continuing talks and minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has even met with Newcastle director Amanda Staveley to try and come to terms over Ashworth – who has been placed on gardening leave – which is actually due to run until 2026.
Newcastle are, though, hopeful that there will soon be an end to the saga surrounding Ashworth, whose appointment will finalise their senior management team in the club’s new footballing department with Jason Wilcox in place as technical director and Omar Berrada arriving at the club’s new CEO – all of who are working under new board members Sir Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc.
Man United continue to push for Dan Ashworth appointment
Ratcliffe and United want terms agreed this month that will allow Ashworth to start work in the coming summer window – although it remains to be seen if Newcastle will look to delay his start date to beyond the next window, with sources suggesting to HITC that a start date of September 1 is something they are working towards.
HITC understands that Man United are hopeful that Newcastle’s impending appointment of their new sporting director will facilitate Ashworth’s appointment.
Newcastle have been talking to more than half-a-dozen candidates, with the likes of Paul Mitchell, Tiago Pinto, Rui Pedro Braz and Hugo Viana amongst those who have been considered.
Newcastle narrow down search
However, HITC has been informed that Newcastle have narrowed down their search down to three – with Freedman amongst them.
The current Crystal Palace sporting director has impressed during the process and is now down to the final selection. Freedman has also been under consideration to follow Ashworth to United too as part of the recruitment staff.
It is believed one of the ‘European’ based candidates is also down the final picks, whilst HITC is also told that current head of scouting Steve Nickson is also under consideration for promotion.
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