Luke Edwards shares where Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth replacement search is

Newcastle United are going to be looking for a Dan Ashworth replacement, but it sounds like the search is yet to begin.

Toon officials are waving goodbye to their sporting director, with Dan Ashworth set to join Manchester United at some point in the future.

He has made the decision to go to Old Trafford, and is now on gardening leave while Newcastle United and the Red Devils discuss a compensation package. The Magpies are driving a hard bargain, and are looking for a fee of £20million.

That figure has been branded as ridiculous by onlookers, but proves that Newcastle will not be pushed around.

And nor will they rush into hiring a replacement. Although hearts were racing on Tuesday when it was announced that Richard Hughes would be leaving Bournemouth.

He is someone who Eddie Howe knows well, and has been linked with finishing what Ashworth started at St James’ Park.

However, it does not look like there will be a reunion between Howe and Hughes. In fact, it is still very much unclear who is going to fill Ashworth’s shoes.

Richard Hughes will not be Newcastle’s new sporting director

That is according to the Telegraph’s Luke Edwards, who has taken to X to provide an update on Newcastle’s search for a new sporting director. He states that while the search has not really got going yet, one man who won’t be arriving is Hughes – and the same goes for former Liverpool chief Michael Edwards.

He wrote on X: “Confirmation that Richard Hughes won’t be leaving Bournemouth for Newcastle. Michael Edwards also understood to be a firm not interested if approached too. The search hasn’t really started yet. Club feel structure currently in place will be fine for summer window recruitment.”

Newcastle in no rush to replace Dan Ashworth

There appears to be a sense of calm behind the scenes at Newcastle United. There is no mad panic to replace Ashworth, despite his sudden decision to call time on his Toon tenure and take his talents to the North West.

Instead, the Magpies are going on as if it is business as usual. They have a structure in place that they believe can be successful, and fans will have confidence in that being the case.

The summer transfer window is going to be very important for Newcastle, with plenty of incomings and outgoings. Three signings are being targeted, while the Magpies also need to move some players on.

It will be one of the most important windows since the takeover, and the fact that the club are going to be without their sporting director for it does not appear to faze them. They are not going to rush to hire a replacement.

That is a smart decision, and one that will benefit Newcastle United in the long-run.