Club officially announce Dan Ashworth has been placed on gardening leave

The worst-kept secret in football has today been confirmed by Newcastle United that Dan Ashworth is leaving the club.

Reporters broke the news last night that Dan Ashworth had requested to leave Newcastle United with a view to taking up the sporting director role at Manchester United.

Then at 3:30pm on Monday, the club released a very, very brief statement to say that Dan Ashworth had been placed on gardening leave.

The statement says everything and nothing at the same time

The deal to take Ashworth to Manchester United has yet to be struck, but it looks like whatever happens, Ashworth will not be part of the Newcastle United setup going forward.

The statement put out via the official site gave no real details on anything.

"Newcastle United can announce that Dan Ashworth has commenced a period of gardening leave.

"Darren Eales, Newcastle United CEO, said: "We are naturally disappointed that Dan has chosen to leave, however our exciting journey doesn't stop and the process to recruit a new sporting director will begin immediately.

""We thank Dan for his efforts at Newcastle United and we wish him and his family well for the future.""

Don't let the door hit your arse on the way out, Dan

Off you trot then, Dan, thanks for your loyalty and strong leadership and vision or you know, whatever it is you did.

The process to find a replacement is underway with Richard Hughes of Bournemouth heavily linked with the role, but we'd like to think the club will look further afield than "that guy Eddie Howe knows".

Still, it could be worse, we could be looking for another manager just nine weeks after appointing one. I hear Steve Bruce is available.