Manchester United are trying to replace Nick Cox as the academy director prepares to embark on a new journey at Everton.
Manchester United’s ranks have changed a lot since Sir Jim Ratcliffe became co-owner of the football club. Not only has Ratcliffe introduced many Ineos chiefs to the running of United, but he has also brought in football people to ensure the future is bright at Old Trafford.
They include chief executive Omar Berrada and football director Jason Wilcox. There was a role for Dan Ashworth until Ineos left the former Newcastle director to leave shortly after starting work at the club.
The Reds were dealt a blow recently when academy director Nick Cox announced his move to Everton, while Under-18 boss Adam Lawrence decided to move on.
Furthermore, David Hughes has become Newport County manager, while Paul McShane has joined Lee Grant at Huddersfield Town.
This means it’s a summer of further change at United, and reports suggest the club is working hard to find a replacement for Cox as someone to lead the academy.
Cox is currently serving a 12-month notice period but everyone will want a solution as soon as possible.
Man Utd eye Stephen Torpey as potential Nick Cox replacement
It won’t be an easy job for United to replace Cox.
For years, Cox guided United’s youngest stars from the academy into the first-team and always led with guidance and professionalism over nine years.
They are big shoes to fill, and the Manchester Evening News believes United are considering appointing Stephen Torpey of Brentford.
The academy director of Brentford is a former Man City employee and worked closely with Wilcox during their time at the club.
It is outlined in the report that United are undertaking an extensive search to find the ‘best-in-class’ replacement for Cox and have indicated no appointment is imminent.
Anyone who gets their hands on the job will need to share the same vision as the club because they will have the key to an abundance of talent. The aim has always been to develop young players for first-team football, and it’s been achieved for generations.
Who is Torpey?
Brentford appointed Torpey as their academy director in January 2024.
Torpey’s job was to build Brentford’s academy from scratch and deliver Category One academy status, but he could now leave for Manchester just a year-and-a-half later.
He previously spent nine years at City in different positions, after joining in 2014. During this time, Torpey was credited with helping City implement a Barcelona-style coaching system.
Among his feats is working on the development of Cole Palmer and Rico Lewis.
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