Manchester United have announced the appointment of Jason Wilcox as the club’s new technical director.
The Athletic reported earlier in April that United had made an approach to Southampton for Wilcox.
United confirmed in a statement that Wilcox will begin work “with immediate effect”, adding that “he will work with all technical areas of the football department to achieve the highest standards of performance”.
Wilcox will report to the sporting director, who will have overall responsibility for football performance, recruitment and operations. United have said that an appointment will be confirmed in due course. Dan Ashworth is expected to assume this role.
United have also confirmed that current technical director Darren Fletcher “will continue to play a key role in the football leadership team working across the men’s first team and academy.”
Southampton initially rejected United’s proposal after the Premier League side offered to pay the equivalent of a full year of Wilcox’s salary.
The Athletic reported in February that United were in talks to bring Wilcox on board as a crucial member of the club’s revamped sporting structure.
His proposed position would be under the supervision of a sporting director. Dan Ashworth, who is United’s top target, was put on gardening leave by Newcastle United after expressing his desire to leave the club following interest from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.
In January 2023, Wilcox resigned from his position as Manchester City’s academy director, marking the beginning of his transition to Southampton, where he has held his role for nine months.
Despite City’s efforts to retain him by offering a new deal, Wilcox opted to conclude his nine-year tenure with the Etihad club.
Phil Foden, Rico Lewis, and Oscar Bobb, along with Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, flourished under Wilcox’s guidance at the City academy, where he served as director in 2017, following his stint as the under-18s head coach.
In his playing days, Wilcox achieved Premier League success with Blackburn Rovers, and also represented Leeds United and Blackpool before retiring in 2006.
Wilcox’s appointment would mark another significant addition to their backroom team, complementing the recent hiring of Omar Berrada as their new chief executive, who is joining from Manchester City at the end of the season.
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