Gary Neville has praised Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth for transforming club

Newcastle United thrashed Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup last night, with goals from Miguel Almiron, Lewis Hall, and Joe Willock, shocking Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Despite fielding mostly second-string players, the Magpies were the better team, and Gary Neville was impressed.

The former Manchester United captain couldn’t help but compliment Magpies sporting director Dan Ashworth on his work since joining the club from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Neville was fuming with how woeful things have been for the Red Devils on and off the pitch, and he took to social media platform X to blast the Man United board while showering encomium on Ashworth and Newcastle.

On my way up to the gantry last night I bumped into Dan Ashworth. He transformed the FA’s structure, set Brighton up for this incredible period of success and has now built a strong foundation for the new owners at Newcastle. He’s competent, highly qualified and knows what he’s…

— Gary Neville (@GNev2) November 2, 2023

The former West Bromwich Albion sporting and technical director joined St James’ Park in February 2022 and has helped turn around the club’s fortunes.

 

 

Man United shortlisted Ashworth as a candidate for the technical director role in August 2018, and his knowledge and experience could have benefited the Red Devils had he joined them.

However, the move fell through, and he joined Brighton as Technical Director shortly after resigning as FA Director of Elite Development in September 2018.

Since Ashworth’s arrival, Newcastle has made some wise signings, finishing fourth in the Premier League and reaching the Carabao Cup final last season.

 

This season, they will face Chelsea in the competition’s quarter-finals and will be hoping to advance to the semi-finals.

 

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and his players deserve all of the credit for their efforts thus far, but Ashworth has been outstanding behind the scenes, and Neville must wish that Man United had someone like that at Old Trafford.