Wilcox appointed Man Utd Technical Director after compensation agreed
Written by Training Ground Guru — April 20, 2024
Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of Jason Wilcox as Technical Director with “immediate effect”.
The club made an official approach for Southampton’s Director of Football at the start of the month and the clubs have now reached agreement on compensation. United said Wilcox would work with “all technical areas of the football department to achieve the highest standards of performance.”
In a parallel statement, Southampton said: “Whilst the club is naturally disappointed that Jason’s stay at Southampton has only lasted nine months, it wishes him well for the future.
"The club will continue to work closely with Russell Martin and his back-room team to ensure they have all the support they require moving forwards.”
Wilcox is a former Premier League winner and England international. He joined Manchester City as an Academy coach in 2012, before becoming Under-18s Lead, Head of Academy Coaching and, in 2017, their Academy Director.
At City he worked with United’s new Chief Executive Omar Berrada, who was Chief Operating Officer at The Etihad. Wilcox joined Southampton last summer as Director of Football, replacing Matt Crocker, who is now Sporting Director of US Soccer.
United are still engaged in negotiations with Newcastle United about a deal for their Sporting Director, Dan Ashworth. The 52-year-old was put on gardening leave by Newcastle in February, after informing them of his desire to join United.
Earlier this month United announced that their Football Director, John Murtough, was leaving after 11 years to allow a “new football structure to be put in place.” United do already have a Technical Director in former midfielder Darren Fletcher, but his role has been more focused on pathways for the club's young playersand his job title will change in due course.