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Exclusives
Manchester United’s own Txiki Begiristan the key to hiring Ruben Amorim in ‘landmark’ appointment
Sources have told TBR Football that the appointment of Ruben Amorim as their new boss is a ‘landmark’ moment, not just for Manchester United but their sporting director Dan Ashworth.
Ashworth arrived in the summer and played a major role in the summer recruitment although much of it was already in place before he started work in July.
But Ashworth has now taken firm control of football at United, with the axing of Erik ten Hag and the appointment of his successor Amorim.
- READ MORE – Simon Jordan states the biggest challenge Ruben Amorim is about to face at Manchester United
Dan Ashworth made Amorim decision as United appoint head coach
TBR Football can reveal that Ashworth made the decision that Ten Hag needed to leave after their 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Tottenham in September.
We understand that Ashworth already knew he wanted he wanted a head coach rather than a manager, and that was a big thing as it is something never seen at United before.
They showed interest in Thomas Frank and Julian Nageslmann, but following talks Amorim emerged quickly emerged as their first-choice.
Amorim had originally insisted he wanted to stay with Sporting until end the season, but he admits United were forceful in their pursuit which club sources believe is a ‘landmark’ moment for the Red Devils.
“For three days I said I wanted to stay until the end of the season, but then I was told it was not possible,” said Amorim after Friday’s 5-1 win over Estrela Amadora.
“It was now or never, or Manchester would go for another option. So, I had three days to make my mind up, to make a decision that changes radically my life.”
Ashworth played a major part in winning Amorim over, part of which was assuring him he would not be interfering in the first-team and would assist him at every turn, much in the same way that Txiki Begiristain and Pep Guardiola work at Manchester City.
Amorim will have an input into any potential deals, but it will be Ashworth who picks the players and will have the final say on recruitment.
United are being linked with a host of Amorim’s current Sporting squad, but confirms none will be following him in January.
“I’m not going to pick up any Sporting player in January,” said Amorim.
Manchester City set-up inspired Sir Jim Ratcliffe to land Ashworth
TBR Football understands that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his right-hand men from INEOS – Sir Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc, both board members at United, were in full agreement with Ashworth’s choice of Amorim.
Indeed, we are told that Ratcliffe believes that Ashworth’s dealing of Ten Hag and Amorim has underlined that his appointment was the right one.
Ratcliffe, Brailsford and Blanc had done their homework on the best run clubs in Europe, but they did not have to look far as they firmly believe neighbours Manchester City were the most impressively run.
- READ MORE – Sam Allardyce predicts what will happen with Harry Maguire at Man United under Ruben Amorim
They saw just how central to the whole club was the role played by director of football Txiki Begiristain and wanted one of their own, and they soon homed in on Ashworth – who accepted their offer, and after a lengthy fight with Newcastle United, he agreed his move.
They brought in Ashworth to run football operations of their new footballing department, which also contains technical director Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrarda.
But Ashworth was the main man, that was always the plan and he has taken to the role in his stride, like with Begiristain – the headlines are not about him, it is all about the club and taking them forward.