That's possible, but it's also possible that both dofs simply grew frustrated at not being able to do the job the way they saw fit and left. They might have simply been met by a cold brick wall and not the other way around, but we'll never know.
So we're going to listen to the former DoF, who held negotiations to leave whilst still under contract to us and snaked his way out of the club and has then - according to some sources - been talking about difficulties he's had working with Howe (after being sacked from the job he left us for)? I'd prefer to listen to our manager who has never, to my knowledge, made openly negative comments about Ashworth as he's successful, respectful and professional. There's a lot of 2+2=5 going on around this as people fill in gaps with information which is at best subjective and at worst manipulative and fictitious. Repeating rumours and opinion ad infinitum does not make them true.
As previously stated the question is why? It's an assumption that he's this awful little snake imo and actually more than likely just wasn't happy working with Howe, vice versa or both, so he left. It's what people tend to do in those circumstances and it doesn't necessarily mean he's the bad guy. At least we've got some actual words from Ashworth. The why is unknown and who's right or wrong is also unknown.
Both, I believe, thought EH would fail and they could bring in their own man. DA - would bring in Southgate. He left for man utd and was quickly pushed out and they brought in RA, who DA didn't want. PM - would bring in Poch.
Again these are all theories though aren't they? I guess all I'm saying is I'm keeping an open mind, but most people appear to be jumping in with both feet and burning their witch without a fair trial. It's just my opinion, but if this is because of Howes crusade for full control he's making a mistake by making a rod for his own back, and I believe there's a good reason why clubs no longer give managers such control. Why did they bring in dofs in the first place? Next season the rise will hopefully continue, but if things wrong who will everyone blame? The Man United thing? Looks like Ashworth was right so far tbh. We'll see.
The above was my opinion based on things that have happened and what has been said. All managers don't really want a DoF - if your theory was correct then EH would have been worded after DA and PM would have been told to get players signed. PM would not have been told to do as EH wants as that negates the point of his role. Appears to me as DoFs are generally as egotistical as managers and want their own man who will run with his ideas as to who to get. EH being an issue is an easy cop out for DA being a slippery snake wanting GS both here and at Manchester United and PM thought he was top dog and as at least twice mentioned MP whilst here.
I'm asking why dofs were brought in to clubs in the first place? There must be a good reason? I'm not saying howe won't succeed, but why is it Newcastle that are having this prehistoric issue?
The naivety of the owners? Seeing AS and MG out of their depth? Other big clubs having a DoF or a Technical Director?
So more accurately why did clubs stop giving full control to managers? Either Newcastle are going retro or they're setting someone up for a fall. It's all getting a bit strange and it's been like this for quite some time.
I was going to say /head coach, but again there's a reason why they stopped giving ex players with coaching badges that level of power. It's concerning imo.
I think it’s because football clubs at the highest level have just got more complex. A football manager can’t do all the things they could in the 90’s. The amount of staff to manage has quadrupled and that’s why DoF exist. They do however conflict with Managers interests. I think a good DoF should sit under a manager. A manager tells him what he wants and they deliver.
We still have a CEO. So hardly the ‘singular point of blame for both’. Unless you have an agenda. Do you have an agenda.
Add some ‘real’ quality? Isak, Tonali, Bruno, Botman, Burn…yeah, maybe one too far, but we have ‘real’ quality. Now is the time to add more ‘real’ quality.
Continuity is the answer. D of F’s are supposed to be long term appointments. Ashworth seems an abysmal failure on that score wherever he’s been and Mitchell obviously didn’t fancy the time to wait EH out.
In my opinion (no industry knowledge) The Director of football should be in charge of the budget allocated by the owners to player acquisitions and should be accountable for both incoming and outgoing negotiations with agents and other clubs. In other words they are responsible for the business side of player sales and purchases. The identification of the players themselves should be the responsibility of the head scout in conjunction with the head coach. The DoF should also be accountable for ensuring the loan system and the youth setup is fit for purpose to bring in / send out the right players. I've always loved a good witch burning ever since I was turned into a newt. (I got better)
If it's true that Mitchell wanted Pochettino then we are well shot. We need a DoF that will work with Howe and can spot players. We need a mixture of home and overseas.
This. Well, I can't vouch for you being turned into a newt, but if so then I'm glad you got better. I hope they burned her anyway.
