'Lots of conversations' - Graham Potter lifts lid on Dan Ashworth exit as Newcastle United forced to wait

Albion head coach Graham Potter is confident the departure of Dan Ashworth will not derail the club’s ambitious plans.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Technical director Ashworth resigned earlier this week and is widely expected to take up a similar position at Newcastle United after a prolonged spell of garden leave.

Ashworth, 50, has been a key figure behind the scenes since his arrival in 2018. He has helped transform Albion’s recruitment strategy and helped bring in the likes of Adam Webster, Tariq Lamptey, Neal Maupay, Jakub Moder, Marc Cucurella, Adam Lallana and Danny Welbeck.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He also revamped the youth academy with Ben White, Aaron Connolly, Steven Alzate and Jeremy Sarmiento all reaping the rewards.

Head coach Graham Potter worked closely with Dan Ashworth at BrightonHead coach Graham Potter worked closely with Dan Ashworth at Brighton
Head coach Graham Potter worked closely with Dan Ashworth at Brighton

Potter worked closely with Ashworth but while he admits his exit is a significant blow, Potter believes the club is well placed to move forward and is looking forward to working with the new acting technical director David Weir.

“Of course (I am) disappointed because Dan was a colleague, he was a friend, he was someone I respected a lot. Of course I still respect him.

“He has been an important person at the football club but these things happen. It’s life.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We are at a really well-run football club, which doesn’t rely on one person, as important as they are.

“We move forward as a club together and we take on the challenge of life without Dan as best we can.”

Potter added: “As you can imagine I had lots of calls with Dan, lots of conversations with him.

“I understood his situation. I think it was a really tough decision for him. He has got his family, he has got his reasons.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Then you have to respect Dan is a grown man, he is a very intelligent man. He understands what he has got here.

"At the same time he has got another opportunity so you have to respect that in life. I respect Dan, I respect what he has done for the club, I respect his decision.

“But I know this club does not rely on one person.

“It’s a real collective strength that we have and that’s what I think will take us through. I’m looking forward to working with David Weir and we will go from there.”

Potter was speaking ahead of Albion’s trip to relegation-threatened Watford on Saturday, when he hopes to welcome back Leo Trossard and Alexis Mac Allister.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Both missed last Saturday’s FA Cup loss at Spurs due to illness. Enock Mwepu and Sarmiento (both hamstring) remain absent.

Striker Welbeck is fit to face his former club as he was only fit enough for the bench at Spurs, also due to illness.