Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Manchester United revolution is accelerating, with the club now in advanced negotiations to secure Southampton's highly-regarded director of football, Jason Wilcox, as their new technical director.
The move represents a significant coup for the Red Devils' new INEOS-led hierarchy, who are determined to build a world-class sporting structure at Old Trafford. Wilcox, a former Premier League winner with Blackburn Rovers, has impressed during his tenure at Southampton and is seen as a pivotal piece in Ratcliffe's ambitious rebuild.
Swift Action from INEOS
United's pursuit of Wilcox has moved with remarkable speed. The club are prepared to trigger his 12-month notice period at Southampton, with negotiations now focused on agreeing a compensation package. This aggressive approach underscores the new regime's determination to install their top targets without delay.
The 52-year-old Wilcox is understood to be excited by the project and the prospect of working under the incoming sporting director, Dan Ashworth, whom United are also aggressively pursuing from Newcastle United.
A Key Piece in the New Structure
Wilcox's potential appointment is a clear signal of the direction Ratcliffe and INEOS are taking. His reputation for developing young talent was forged during a successful spell at Manchester City's academy, where he oversaw the development of stars like Phil Foden and Rico Lewis before his move to Southampton.
This focus on nurturing youth and implementing a cohesive philosophy from the academy to the first team aligns perfectly with the long-term vision being established at United.
Amorim Links and Ashworth Saga
The news comes amidst a whirlwind of activity at the Theatre of Dreams. United have also been strongly linked with a move for Sporting Lisbon's managerial sensation, Ruben Amorim, as a potential successor to Erik ten Hag.
Furthermore, the ongoing pursuit of Dan Ashworth from Newcastle has become a protracted affair, with the Magpies placing their sporting director on gardening leave and demanding a significant compensation fee believed to be in the region of £20 million.
The potential arrival of Wilcox would provide crucial momentum to United's off-field restructuring, ensuring the club has a top-tier technical director in place to work alongside Ashworth, should his move eventually be finalised.
For Southampton, losing Wilcox so soon after his arrival from Manchester City in the summer of 2023 would be a major blow, but testament to the high regard in which he is held within the game.
