Manchester United has set its sights on Southampton’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, in what seems to be a formal approach, according to a reliable source from ESPN. The club is eyeing Wilcox as their top choice for the position of technical director in the midst of a restructuring initiative spearheaded by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team.
Despite United’s formal offer of compensation to Southampton for Wilcox, the terms of the potential agreement have not been finalized. According to inside sources, Southampton is not pleased with the timing of the approach, especially as they are currently aiming to secure promotion back to the Premier League. After Southampton’s recent defeat to Ipswich, manager Russell Martin expressed a desire to address the situation once he has had time to process the disappointment.
Manchester United’s initial attempt to bring in Dan Ashworth as director of football has hit a roadblock due to Newcastle United’s reluctance to negotiate on their demands. Ashworth is currently in a period of gardening leave, drawing full pay during his notice period. United is eager to avoid a similar situation with Wilcox and is optimistic about finding common ground with both Newcastle and Southampton.
Jason Wilcox, aged 53, is a familiar face to United’s incoming CEO, Omar Berrada, from their time together at Manchester City. Wilcox previously managed the academy at the Etihad Stadium before making the switch to Southampton in 2023. His impressive playing career includes being part of Blackburn’s 1995 Premier League-winning squad and earning three caps for the England national team between 1996 and 2000.
Manchester United’s pursuit of Jason Wilcox from Southampton is a notable development in their efforts to strengthen the club’s management structure. With negotiations ongoing, it remains to be seen whether a deal can be reached that satisfies all parties involved. The potential addition of Wilcox as technical director could bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Red Devils as they look ahead to the upcoming summer transfer window.
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