Arsenal added Dan Ashworth to the list of potential candidates for the vacant athletic director position his sudden departure With Manchester United– sources tell ESPN.
On Sunday, United confirmed that Ashworth had left the club after just five months in the job, with sources suggesting the 53-year-old was involved in a series of misunderstandings with senior club officials.
Ashworth’s reputation was tarnished as a result, but after successful spells with the Football Association (FA) he remains highly regarded, Brighton AND NewcastleUnited.
Ashworth also previously worked with Arsenal managing director Richard Garlick at West Bromwich Albion.
Garlick was West Brom’s director-legal secretary but was promoted to sporting and technical director in 2013 following Ashworth’s departure to the FA.
Sources added that the pair were in close cooperation at the time. Garlick is currently leading Arsenal’s search for a sporting director after Edu resigned last month.
Brazilian agreed in principle to the agreement take the lead Nottingham Forest Owner Evangelos Marinakis’ multi-club group and ESPN reported at the time that many Arsenal employees were shocked by his decision to leave.
As a result, Arsenal had no succession plan.
Assistant technical director Jason Ayto strengthened his position during the transition period, and Garlick was also able to support him in the January transfer window.
With January expected to be a quiet month for Arsenal barring any unforeseen injuries or market opportunities, the club are under no immediate pressure to replace Edu – who is on a six-month leave from his gardening business – but Ashworth’s availability is of clear interest given both his pedigree , as well as the earlier story with Garlick.
United declined to confirm whether Ashworth had been furloughed from the horticulture industry or whether there were any other legal issues preventing him from taking other work.
Edu’s successor will be selected by the executive team, which includes Garlick, manager Mikel Arteta, board member Tim Lewis and co-chairman Josh Kroenke.
Sources told ESPN that Arsenal will continue to carefully screen candidates and identify the right personality profile before formally approaching any individual.
Applicants from around the world will be considered and it has been confirmed that Edu’s experience as a former Arsenal player and member of the Invincibles squad will be difficult to replicate.
