Newcastle have been granted permission to speak to Brighton’s Dan Ashworth as the club look to appoint a new director of football.
The Magpies’ new ownership are currently overhauling the club behind the scenes and have made the appointment of a new director a priority, with the recruitment process currently well underway at St James’ Park.
Ashworth is currently working as a technical director as Premier League rivals Brighton and has emerged as a leading candidate for the position, and The Athletic are reporting that Newcastle have been given permission to open negotiations.
That process to find a director of football is being led by external recruitment company Nolan Partners and the conduct of Newcastle and the firm – who have handled Ashworth’s last two moves in football – in approaching Brighton has been described as ‘faultless’.
Ashworth has been with the Seagulls since 2019, having previously held a position with the Football Association. Brighton want Ashworth to remain in his current role but will not stand in his way should he decide on a new challenge at Newcastle and contingency plans are in place.
The two teams will need to find an agreement on a settlement fee should Ashworth take the chance to move to St James’ Park.
