Ruben Amorim admits Dan Ashworth's departure is “not the best situation” but believes the departure of Manchester United's sporting director “doesn't change anything”.
The stunning announcement came on Sunday morning that the 53-year-old was leaving Old Trafford just 159 days after arriving from Newcastle.
United spent several months negotiating Ashworth's appointment, with Ashworth – who also worked for the FA and Brighton – spending a period of time on garden leave from St James' Park.
Amorim faced the media for the first time since the sporting director's abrupt departure ahead of Thursday's Europa League group match against Viktoria Plzen, where initial questions focused on that development.
“The first thing I want to say is that from day one I felt great support from the owners,” said the United head coach.
“From Omar [Berrada, chief executive]from Dan, from Jason (Wilcox, technical director). Dan was part of that and I really felt support from Dan.
“But this is football and sometimes these things happen. It happens to players, to coaches.
“I know this is not the best situation, but the most important thing is that we continue on our path. The path is clear to everyone and I think this can happen in football.”
Amorim: The vision at Man Utd is clear
Asked if he is concerned that United are more unstable than when he first arrived a month ago, Amorim said: “I don't think so.
“Like I said, I've felt the support from everyone from day one, so one person leaving doesn't change anything.
“Of course it is a bad situation, because we are talking about a human being, a professional, who supports us as a team.
“But I think the most important thing is that your vision is really clear and that that vision does not change if even one person leaves.”
'Man Utd have no money to spend'
Sky Sports News' Melissa Reddy speaks on the Transfer Talk podcast:
“Man Utd have no money [to spend on transfers]. It's great to read the transfer news and gossip every day and you see who they're linked to and think, 'Where on earth are they going to get this money for all these strikers?'
“They have made it very clear – and this was also communicated to Ruben Amorim – that the financial constraints are real. He has to get the most out of the club's talents. That was one of the reasons why they brought him in.”
“He has a very good track record in the field of individual development and developing the collective. We've seen teething problems with its structure so far, but over time they're counting on it getting the right pieces in place and really bringing it home.
“They have continuously said that they are not going to spend as they did under Erik ten Hag and that they are going to operate in a much more sustainable way.”
Ashworth's manic 10 months at Man Utd
February 2024 – Manchester United approach Newcastle for sporting director Dan Ashworth as the Magpies place him on gardening leave. Sir Jim Ratcliffe publicly calls Ashworth “one of the best sporting directors in the world” and calls Newcastle's negotiations over the transfer chief's move “absurd”.
May 2024 – It is revealed that Ashworth and United's new CEO Omar Berrada had email conversations about their move to Manchester United while still employed by other Premier League clubs. The competition regulations stipulate that clubs and directors must behave towards each other with the utmost good faith.
July 2024: Manchester United finally appoint Ashworth on July 1, five months after their initial approach was revealed. Newcastle wanted to hold out for compensation of £20 million, but a compromise was reached with United.
August 2024: The first summer transfer window featuring Ashworth comes to an end, with United spending more than £200 million on new players and raking in more than £110 million in revenue.
September 2024: After Man Utd are beaten 3-0 by Liverpool, Ashworth and Berrada reveal they had no input into the decision to keep Erik ten Hag this summer. However, Ashworth says he “really enjoyed working” with the Dutchman.
October 2024: Erik ten Hag is sacked by Manchester United after a 2–1 defeat to West Ham, leaving them 14th in the Premier League.
November 2024: Man Utd appoint Ruben Amorim as Ten Hag's successor, with Berrada the key figure involved in talks with Sporting over the Portuguese manager's move. United spent an extra €1 million on his €10 million release clause to secure Amorim early.
December 2024: Ashworth leaves United after a 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
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