Sir Jim Ratcliffe claims it is ‘ABSURD’ for Newcastle to place sporting director Dan Ashworth on gardening leave… as Man United continue £20m pursuit of Magpies official

Sir Jim Ratcliffe claimed it is ‘absurd’ for Newcastle to place sporting director Dan Ashworth on gardening leave amid Manchester United’s pursuit of him. 

INEOS have made an approach to Newcastle for Ashworth but have been asked for £20m, with the threat of the ex-England man remaining on gardening leave should an agreement not be reached.

‘I think it’s a bit silly, personally,’ he said. ‘I won’t get dragged into that. What I do think is completely absurd is suggesting a man who is really good at his job sits in his garden for one and a half years.

‘We had a very grown up conversation with City about Omar Berrada (the chief exec United have taken from their rivals). When things got done we sorted it out very amicably. 

‘They could see why he wanted to take that challenge. You look at Pep (Guardiola) when he’s done with one of his footballers he doesn’t want them to sit in the garden for one and a half years. He doesn’t do that. That’s not the way the UK works or the law works.’

INEOS have made an approach to Newcastle for Ashworth but have been asked for £20m

Ratcliffe was speaking for the first time since his 25 per cent stake in Manchester United was ratified. 

Mail Sport understands the period of gardening leave written into the sporting director’s current contract would take him towards the January transfer window of 2026. 

It is thought Man United are willing to be patient and wait for Ashworth if a compromise cannot be reached, and that would mean Newcastle paying his wages for the duration of his gardening leave.

The 52-year-old’s position felt as good as untenable following Eddie Howe’s pre-match press conference on Friday, in which he expressed his concern over Ashworth’s access to the club’s inner workings ahead of a likely defection to their rivals.

Howe said then it was for ‘someone above me’ to answer whether Ashworth should be asked to leave the building immediately. The inference was the head coach wanted the situation resolved imminently.

Ashworth remained over the weekend, attending scouting meetings and Saturday’s 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth.

However, he informed the club of his desire to leave on Sunday, just 20 months after joining from Brighton.

He will now be charged with leading the restructuring of football operations at Old Trafford under the new part-ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group. His key responsibility will be recruitment.

More to follow.