Edu Gaspar left Arsenal in November and the North London club are yet to appoint a replacement.
The Brazilian decided to jump ship from the Gunners’ project in favour of a new role overseeing Evangelos Marinakis’ network of clubs.
Reports emerged in February that Arsenal had a shortlist of five sporting director candidates that they were weighing up.
It appears that the Emirates hierarchy have finally made their decision, as Andrea Berta is expected to be appointed in the coming weeks.
Dan Ashworth set to rejoin FA amid Andrea Berta to Arsenal links
Dan Ashworth was among the Edu replacement candidates that Arsenal were considering before they ultimately landed on Berta.
The football administrator had enjoyed a successful spell at Brighton, which likely sparked the Gunners’ interest, before enduring disappointing and short stints at Newcastle and Manchester United.
However, with Arsenal seemingly moving in the direction of Berta, it appears Ashworth has turned his attentions elswhere.
According to the Telegraph, the Englishman is expected to return to a role within the Football Association (FA), where he was previously the director of elite development.
Between 2012 and 2018, Ashworth oversaw a huge improvement in the production of talent across the United Kingdom, and he’s expected to undertake a similar role again.
He’s poised to lead ‘St. George’s Park 2.0 project’, which involves refurbishing the Staffordshire facility, working on coaching development and ensuring more English coaches have a pathway to top jobs in the country.
The news that Ashworth is out of the picture for the Arsenal job is another indication that Berta is close to being appointed.
How much Dan Ashworth’s exit from Manchester United cost the club
While Ashworth’s future is no longer applicable to Arsenal, the story of his time at Old Trafford is certainly amusing for the Gunners faithful.
Joining United in July 2024, he departed just five months later in December.
Reports suggest the termination of his contract cost the Red Devils £4.1 million, with this decision from INEOS a bizarre and expensive one that may have set the club back significantly.
Ashworth reportedly felt disillusioned within the United structure, excluded from key processes and ultimately had his departure signed off by co-owner Jim Ratcliffe.
The north-west club have since restructured their hierarchy, in an attempt to streamline their operations.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
