Dan Ashworth suffers second blow after brutal Manchester United sacking

Dan Ashworth's hopes of becoming Arsenal's new sporting director appear to have been dashed after it emerged that Jason Ayto is the frontrunner for the role.

Ashworth, who was sacked as Manchester United's sporting director after just five months in the role, had been linked with a move to the Emirates after Edu announced he would be leaving the club back in November.

Ashworth had previously worked with Arsenal's managing director Richard Garlick at West Brom and the pair are said to have a close relationship. However, the Daily Mail are now reporting that Ayto is the 'leading contender' for the job.

Ayto has been working as Arsenal's acting sporting director following Edu's exit and it is claimed he has 'growing internal support to take on the role permanently', with the club's owners said to have been impressed by work.

Ayto has been at Arsenal for a decade, having initially joined as a video analyst, and was groomed by Edu to be his successor after he returned to the club in 2019. "His history with me was amazing," Edu told the Athletic.

"I remember when I arrived he worked for the scouting department. When I came in, I tried to talk to people — interview them, see how they're feeling, how they feel about the future, what they want to do in the club, all these things.

"And when I started to talk to Jason, I felt: 'Wow, there is something special with this guy'. The way he behaves, the way he talks, the way he wants to help the club, the way he wants to progress in his career.

Image: David Price/Arsenal FC) David Price/Arsenal FC)

"Everything I asked the guy — helping me with contacts, presentations, research — he had the skills to do it. He knows a lot of people in football. He is really, really smart, able to find solutions.

"I felt since I arrived like I had to prepare someone for if I left one day. I think it's fair for the club — I did the same at Corinthians, and with Brazil. Someone has to understand all the information, to know everything internally and externally, and I felt Jason would be the one. And I said that to everyone internally.

"Listen, people need an opportunity. Remember when I arrived here, people said I didn't have European experience. The club gave me the opportunity, and I showed I could do it. I strongly think I prepared someone else to do that — but people need the chance."

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