NOT WORTH IT
Man Utd chief Dan Ashworth blamed for Newcastle’s dire transfer window as successor calls strategy ‘not fit for purpose’
Toon's vision for future has also been called into question
PAUL MITCHELL blamed predecessor Dan Ashworth for Newcastle’s underwhelming transfer window and says the recruitment team assembled by him were not “fit for purpose”.
Ashworth left St James’ Park for Manchester United and was replaced by ex-Tottenham and Monaco chief Mitchell as sporting director two months ago.
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But the new man has come under fire from the Toon Army after failing to deliver the top-class centre-half Eddie Howe wanted following the failed pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.
Right-wing was another position the Magpies boss wanted to strengthen but he was left with only defender Lloyd Kelly, a free transfer from Bournemouth, and £10m forward William Osula from Sheffield United as outfield additions.
Mitchell said: “You look at the money we have invested up to this point, £250 million net over the last two-and-a-half years.
“It’s a lot of money and was our model in place to be able to spend more to the levels we would have liked to keep enhancing the team?
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“I don’t think it was, because we haven’t sold a player during that time, barring what we were forced to do through legislation of PSR.
“There hasn’t been a clear strategic strategy over the last five years to say once we get to this point, can we keep enhancing the team with the same level of investment?
“I don’t think that was factored into the strategies we had and that is a learning for everyone but I do think we have to be more global in our vision of the players we sign.
“I think the skill, whether it be personal philosophy or the demands of financial fair play has to come into play where you have to find undervalued talent at a certain age profile.”
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Mitchell then took aim at the recruitment team set-up by Ashworth, who has overseen the big-money buys of Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs De Ligt, Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee since his arrival at Old Trafford.
He added: “Should our scouting and recruitment be driven more extensively with a wider reaching net?
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“It definitely should be because this is becoming a really nuanced space now, when you just can't capitally fund everything every year and buying loads of players at peak age and peak price.
“Of course it needs to be, and that's the responsibility of me, the scouting team, the recruitment team and Eddie. To do that, to look at that. Is it fit for purpose?
“Not last winter gone, the winter before that. Is it fit for purpose in the modern game, with the modern challenges?
“Because other clubs that have maybe adopted a different approach over time, with more intelligence, maybe more data-informed than what we are, actually prospered, didn't they, this window?
“And I think that's where we have to grow to be now.
“It's kind of the next phase of the growth of this project. We have to become better in this area of expertise, and there's a skill.”
Nine managers Man Utd considered before keeping Erik ten Hag
ERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.
Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.
Gareth Southgate
Enjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn't talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.
Kieran McKenna
Talks were opened with McKenna's representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag's Wembley win.
Roberto De Zerbi
Allegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.
Thomas Frank
Brentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.
Marco Silva
Fulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.
Mauricio Pochettino
Fell out of Man Utd's thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Thomas Tuchel
Made a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.
Ruben Amorim
Sporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager was considered in the early stages.
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