Eddie Howe has revealed that Dan Ashworth has brought a 'real depth of knowledge' to Newcastle United as the sporting director prepares to return to Brighton on Saturday.
Ashworth started working with Newcastle back in June after the Magpies reached an agreement with Brighton to release the 51-year-old from his notice period following his resignation as the Seagulls' technical director earlier this year. Ashworth was settled at Brighton, and did not apply for the job, but the former FA chief could not resist the opportunity to join what he called a 'monster of a football club' after he was headhunted.
It will fall to Ashworth to connect the various departments of the club - the men's team, the women's team, recruitment, the academy, medical and sports science, and player loans - and help establish an overarching strategy in the months and years to come. In the short-term, Ashworth has used his first couple of months in the post to get to know the staff and understand how the club functions while also assisting Howe and head of recruitment Steve Nickson when it comes to navigating the summer transfer window.
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"He's come in and added a real depth of knowledge in every aspect of the club," Howe told reporters ahead of the trip to the Amex. "We've built up a good relationship in a very short period of time.
"I've always respected Dan without knowing him that well previously, but he's helped in a number of different ways. Transfers being one of them where he's got really good contacts in the game.
"He's very calm, very knowledgeable. He's been in this position many times. I think you need that experience.
"Certainly with Steve and Dan, we've got a really good team and I've said many times we're trying to find the right players to make the difference to the team."
Newcastle have made three signings so far this summer in Nick Pope, Matt Targett and Sven Botman and Howe remains in the hunt for an attacker before the window shuts in less than three weeks' time. However, rather than signing someone who is available, Howe is keen to bring in the right player and character who will actually enhance the side and not disrupt the dressing room, and the Magpies' boss is prepared to hold his nerve to do so.
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