Dan Ashworth is tipped to have a positive impact at Newcastle United

Journalist Pete O’Rourke believes Dan Ashworth will ‘sort things out off the pitch’ for Newcastle United in the months and years ahead.

The 50-year-old is widely expected to become the Magpies’ new director of football over the coming days having formally departed his previous role at Brighton and Hove Albion.

Ashworth recently resigned from his position as technical director at the south coast club to take up a similar role at an as-yet-unnamed Premier League club.

According to Sky Sports, he will now complete an extended period of gardening leave while continuing to advise chief executive Paul Barber from the outside during his notice period.

It’s believed that Ashworth will then be able to take up a new position elsewhere amid strong interest from Newcastle in his services.

The St. James’ Park outfit were granted permission to speak to the highly-regarded chief back in December, although Brighton were also known to be keen to keep hold of him.

However, it seems as though Ashworth is set to be the latest recruit for Newcastle, who joined football’s financial elite following their Saudi-back takeover last year.

Ashworth was previously the Football Association’s technical director and is credited with developing the so-called “England DNA” and oversaw many successes on the pitch before departing in 2018.

He then enhanced his reputation at Brighton, bringing in the likes of Leandro Trossard, Marc Cucurella and Tariq Lamptey to significantly aid the progression of Graham Potter’s side.

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And O’Rourke believes Ashworth could have a similar effect if he makes the move to Newcastle.

In an exclusive interview, he told GiveMeSport: “It was a bit scattergun in