While he waits for Manchester United and Newcastle to arrange payment for his transfer to Old Trafford, Ashworth has been placed on gardening leave.
Newcastle is also in the process of finding a sporting director to take over for Manchester United.
A recruitment agency has been hired by the Magpies to find possible candidates for the position of sporting director.
There have been rumors that they are nearing the end of their hunt for Ashworth’s successor.
But the process isn’t over yet because they still need to finish the due diligence on a few market names.
Prior to extending an offer, the owning group and the recruitment agency must decide on a candidate.
But as Newcastle looks to clinch an appointment, the process is heading in the right direction.
Whether they can get the new man into the building before the summer is out is still up in the air.