Jason Wilcox resigns from Southampton DoF role to force Manchester United move

Jason Wilcox has been linked with roles at several top clubs, with Southampton playing hard over a compensation package. This has led to their director of football resigning from his position.

Manchester United had already approached Southampton about hiring Wilcox. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group want to make him their technical director as part of the new recruitment team.

According to Sky Sports, United offered the equivalent of a year of Wilcox’s salary and they believe this met a buyout clause in his contract. Southampton are disputing the existence of the clause and are understood to be annoyed at the manner and timing of United’s approach. We can only assume there were mutual feelings at Man City and Newcastle as Sir Jim Ratcliffe planned to hire the best directors that exist in football.

Southampton appear to be behaving like they’ve had Wilcox for a long time when in reality he’s only been there for nine months. Liverpool have also been linked with a move, as per the Evening Standard.

Anyhow, it sounds like negotiations have hit an impasse as the Saints refused to agree to move.

Wilcox has rightly taken matters into his own hands by resigning from his role. This means he leaves all his earnings on the table to join his next club immediately.

Fabrizio Romano believes Wilcox will now join United as Technical Director, which is a role currently held by Darren Fletcher.

🚨🔴 Jason Wilcox has resigned from Southampton — he’s set to join Manchester United as new technical director!

Southampton refuse to accept fee so Wilcox will resign as he wants to join Man United project.

Former Man City Head of Academy will be key part of Man United new era. pic.twitter.com/RBbpAh0q4j

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 1, 2024

Wilcox was previously part of Man City’s restructuring project of their academy.

In his playing career, Wilcox was a winger and won the Premier League title at Blackburn Rovers in 1995. He also played for Leeds and Blackpool, while winning three England caps before announcing his retirement in 2006.

With Wilcox and Omar Berrada coming in to assist Ineos at United, all the focus will turn to Dan Ashworth, who remains on gardening leave at Newcastle.

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