What Newcastle United fans can expect from new sporting director Dan Ashworth

Newcastle United finally confirmed the appointment of Dan Ashworth as sporting director after months of negotiations and compensation agreements with former club Brighton. Ashworth left the Seagulls in February amid speculation at a move up north, becoming the Magpies’ first sporting director since the Saudi-backed takeover.

The arrival of a sporting director became one of the most important priorities for Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi once they took charge of the club, headed on a temporary basis by former head of football operations at Celtic, Nick Hammond, for the January window.

Between then and now, the hierarchy at St James’ Park have been working behind the scenes to secure the services of one of the most effective players in Premier League recruitment in Ashworth.

The 51-year-old worked with Brighton since 2018, elevating the club from relegation scrappers to an aesthetically pleasing and established Premier League team - finishing ninth this season.

Prior to his appointment at the AMEX, Ashworth worked as academy director and then sporting director at West Brom, before moving to the FA as director of elite development.

But what exactly can Newcastle fans expect from Dan Ashworth? And is he the man to propel the club forward in the same way Brighton have and then some?

Ashworth oversaw a huge churn of players on the south coast, developing a squad on a low budget through shrewd recruitment tailored to the playing style of manager Graham Potter. He also managed to effectively trim the squad of fringe players or those who have passed peak age - At Newcastle, think Dwight Gayle, Matt Ritchie, Federico Fernandez et. al.

In terms of incomings, the majority of signings at Brighton were those coming into