Newcastle 'confident Director Ashworth WILL stay despite interest from Sir Jim'
Newcastle are confident they will keep hold of their Sporting Director Dan Ashworth despite interest from Manchester United.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe identified a Newcastle transfer chief as his top target for United's sporting director role, ahead of his decisive talks with Sir Alex Ferguson, according to reports.
Ratcliffe - who has taken a 25 per cent stake in United - is looking to make wholesale changes at Man United and believes Ashworth would be the perfect man for the vacant role.
However, Newcastle's chief executive Darren Eales has made it clear where they stand on the situation and emphasised how 'happy' Ashworth is with the Magpies project.
Speaking to the press, via The Mirror, on Thursday afternoon, Eales said: 'Dan spoke on the record recently about being happy in the project [at Newcastle United].
'We go back to our days at West Bromwich Albion where we worked together. Dan's done a great job, there's a lot more work to be done and we're hopeful he's here for the long term. He's certainly enjoying his time at the moment.'
Ashworth previously joined Newcastle after leaving fellow Premier League side, Brighton, in June last year. His departure from the AMEX saw him put on gardening leave for an extended period of time while Newcastle negotiated his initial move to St James' Park.
United's current boardroom doesn't boast a sporting director, a decision that has been heavily criticised during a period when the club's recent recruitment has been scrutinised.
Ratcliffe's registered an interest in Ashworth ahead of his conversation with Ferguson. The British billionaire will meet with the former manager to discuss the structure of the club, prior to the formal appointment of a sporting director.
However, it remains to be
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