Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says the departure of Dan Ashworth from his sporting director role is “not the best situation”, Afrosport reports.
The Premier League outfit announced on Sunday that Ashworth will leave his position at the club after only just 159 days.
The 53-year-old joined United this summer following his move from Newcastle United, and spearheaded the club’s transfer business in the summer window.
His shocking departure, however, breeds new concerns over the future of the club under he leadership of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and Amorim, who was brought to United by a team of top executives, including Ashworth, spoke to the media on Wednesday for the first time since the news broke.
”The first thing I want to say is that, since the first day, I felt great support from the ownership,” stated Amorim, who resumed his position as United head coach on 11 November.
“From Omar [Berrada, chief executive], from Dan also, from Jason [Wilcox, technical director]. Dan was part of that, and I really felt support from Dan also.
“But this is football and sometimes these things happens. It happens with players, with coaches.
“I know that it’s not the best situation but the important thing is we continue in our way. The path is really clear for everybody and I think this can happen in football.”
The Portuguese, however, allayed any fears of instability within the United structure as they prepare to take on Viktoria Plzen in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.
“I don’t think so,” the 39-year-old said. “I’ve felt since day one the support from everybody, so one person leaving doesn’t change nothing.
“Of course, it’s a bad situation, because we are talking about a human being, a professional, that supports us as a team.
“But I think the most important thing is that your vision is really clear and that vision doesn’t change if only one person leaves.”
The #UEL resumes 🔜#MUFC pic.twitter.com/cyMb2RTRon
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 10, 2024
Amorim’s side currently sits in 13th place in the Premier League after last weekend’s defeat at home to Nottingham Forest and will head to Plzen, Czech Republic, as they look to clinch an important win and possibly climb into the automatic qualification spots in the Europa League.
