Man Utd announce appointment of Jason Wilcox as technical director | OneFootball

Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of Jason Wilcox as the club's new technical director.

United have been undergoing an internal restructuring following Sir Jim Ratcliffe's purchase of a 28% stake in the club, with the INEOS chief taking over football operations.

He quickly identified Southampton director of football Wilcox as an ideal fit for a technical director role, and following a breakthrough in talks with Southampton over compensation, United have completed a deal and announced his arrival.

A statement from United read: "Jason Wilcox has joined Manchester United as Technical Director with immediate effect.

"He will work with all technical areas of the football department to achieve the highest standards of performance."

Southampton were publicly disappointed with Wilcox's exit, saying in a statement of their own: "Southampton Football Club can today confirm that it has reluctantly agreed to allow Director of Football Jason Wilcox to join Manchester United, having reached an agreement with the Premier League side on an acceptable compensation fee.

"Whilst the club is naturally disappointed that Jason’s stay at Southampton has only lasted nine months, it wishes him well for the future."

As part of Ratcliffe's reshuffle, United recently confirmed the departure of long-serving football director John Murtough.

90min understands United remain keen on appointing Newcastle's Dan Ashworth as their first-ever sporting director but do not want to pay a huge sum in order to release him from his contract.

Talks with Southampton over Wilcox, who previously served in various academy roles at Manchester City between 2013 and 2023, were smoother due to the Saints' comparatively lower demands.

Wilcox will soon be joined at United by former City colleague Omar Berrada, who will serve as CEO from this summer onwards. Ashworth's later arrival is being treated as a matter of 'when' and not 'if' by United chiefs.