Newcastle face long wait for Dan Ashworth to become their director of football

Ashworth resigned from his technical director role at Brighton in February and has since been on gardening leave.

He was expected to head to Newcastle to start his new position with the Magpies straight away, but the two clubs have, so far, been unable to agree on a fee.

Brighton are understood to be holding out for a lot more than being offered for his services and it's a price Newcastle believe is too high.

According to widespread reports, the 51-year-old is now likely to take up the role in November.

Given Newcastle may have to wait eight months, Magpies chief scout Steve Nickson, co-owner Amanda Staveley and head coach Eddie Howe could oversee their summer spending.

Ashworth became Brighton's first technical director in early 2019 after previously working for the Football Association.

During his time with the FA as director of elite development, England women's senior national team secured third at the 2015 World Cup, and reached the semi-finals of the 2017 European Championship.

The England men's youth team also won the under-17 and under-20 World Cups as well as the European U19 Championship, while Gareth Southgate's side enjoyed a memorable run to World Cup semi-final in 2018.

Ashworth's playing career saw him feature for Norwich City, Wisbech and Peterborough United, before he took up a role at Cambridge United's centre of excellence as director.

But it was joining Aidy Boothroyd at West Brom in 2004, spending eight years at the Hawthorns, where his reputation was created.

In a statement in February, Brighton stated: "In line with his contractual terms, Ashworth will now begin an extended period of gardening leave, after which he will be able to take up a new position elsewhere."

Howe is hopeful Ashworth's appointment comes sooner rather than later, and is keen to get work in circumstances similar to his time at Bournemouth.

Speaking last month, Howe said: "I've been used to working with a sporting director at Bournemouth, so I would encourage that.

"I believe I can work under any framework, really. I would embrace that. I'm a firm believer that the stronger your team around you, the better you can deliver for the players. I would welcome any decision the owners make."