Man Utd close in on KEY Ratcliffe appointment after controversial bid

Tom Weber

Updated: 1 Apr 2024 19:45 BST
3 min read

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Man Utd, 2023 — © IMAGO

Manchester United are closing in on the appointment of Jason Wilcox as technical director.

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe's rejigging of Man Utd's recruitment staff is set to take another key step towards completion with the appointment of a new technical director. The Red Devils' interest in Southampton chief Jason Wilcox was revealed in February and a deal is now close, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Sky Sports reports that Man Utd have launched an official bid for the former Blackburn winger amounting to a year's salary and therefore, it is thought, triggering a clause in his contract. However, this is controversial because Southampton dispute the existence of that clause and the promotion-chasing Saints are annoyed with the timing of the move.

As a result of the Championship side's unwillingness to negotiate, Wilcox has resigned, according to Romano. The appointment of the Saints man at Old Trafford appears only a matter of time and Man Utd hope that the technical director will soon work closely together with sporting director-elect Dan Ashworth of Newcastle.

Why Man Utd want Wilcox

Wilcox has made a name for himself in the English game by having an eye for talent as well as now boasting extensive contacts due to his time with Man City and Southampton. The former winger worked his way up the ranks at City, eventually becoming the head of the club's academy where he nurtured the likes of Cole Palmer and Phil Foden.

Wilcox used his City links to secure talented players for Southampton in their bid to immediately bounce back from relegation, with the Saints currently sitting pretty in the Championship playoff spots despite today's gutting 3-2 defeat to fresh league leaders Ipswich thanks to a 97th-minute goal.

The driving force behind Wilcox's appointment as technical director of Man Utd is new CEO Omar Berrada, who worked with the 53-year-old during his time at rivals City.