Manchester United have announced the arrival of Jason Wilcox. So just who is he?
The Ineos era is underway and we are seeing exciting off-field moves materialise. Manchester City’s Omar Berrada is in as the club’s CEO whilst Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth is a top target as sporting director.
While we wait on Ashworth, Jason Wilcox has joined United as technical director, and will have an active role around Old Trafford in the Sir Jim Ratcliffe-led brigade. He recently resigned as Southampton director, ahead of a move to United.
So just who is he? Here’s everything you need to know about him.
Jason Wilcox playing career
Wilcox was a prominent figure in his playing days having emerged in the youth ranks at Blackburn Rovers.
A winger by trade, Wilcox racked up more than 250 league appearances for Rovers and won the Premier League title back in 1995.
Wilcox moved on to Leeds United in 1999 and spent five years at Elland Road before heading to Leicester City and Blackpool before retiring in 2006.
Wilcox earned three England caps too and was initially part of the Euro 2000 squad before having to pull out through injury.
United came up against Wilcox 13 times in his playing career, beating him nine times whilst restricting him to no goals or assists.
Jason Wilcox Coaching Career
Wilcox schooled at Manchester City
After time working as a pundit – predominantly discussing Blackburn Rovers – Wilcox joined the Manchester City staff in 2012, becoming an academy coach with United’s rivals.
Wilcox became academy director during a lengthy spell at City and he briefly coached Jadon Sancho during his time at the Etihad Stadium.
Those City links mean Wilcox crossed paths with incoming CEO Berrada and the pair could now reunite at Old Trafford.
City reached four FA Youth Cup finals during Wilcox’s time as coach and then director, becoming one of the top youth setups in the country.
Wilcox highlighted his work with the likes of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Rico Lewis at City and talked extensively about developing the right environment for young players and coaches.
Bigger fish to fry for Wilcox at Southampton
Wilcox quit City at the end of 2022, taking on the job of Southampton’s director of football.
This was a tough job after Southampton’s relegation and much of the focus was on bringing in hefty fees.
Wilcox sold Romeo Lavia to Chelsea for a huge £58million and also flogged winger Nathan Tella to Bayer Leverkusen for around £20million.
James Ward-Prowse and Tino Livramento moved on for £30million and £40million respectively whilst Wilcox also cleared the decks of misfit players like Mislav Orsic, Mohammed Salisu, Ibrahima Diallo and Moussa Djenepo.
That clearout and cash intake has certainly helped Southampton have a fresh start under Russell Martin and with promotion to the Premier League in sight, Wilcox’s work has been vital.
What can Wilcox bring to Manchester United?
Wilcox’s blend of experience in youth coaching and operating the market makes us very excited.
Wilcox was a vital part of the Manchester City operation, just like Berrada, and his reputation is strong in terms of being one of the best around in his field.
Adding Berrada was exciting enough but if United can then bring in Wilcox in to work alongside Ashworth then this would be a successful start to the Ineos era.
These are proven operators at the highest level and bring a level of expertise to United’s off-field work which just hasn’t been present in recent years.
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