- He is currently the technical director of football at Southampton
- With the new ownership at Manchester United, they want to poach Wilcox for his expertise in recruitment
- He is also a potential for Liverpool
Southampton’s technical director of football Jason Wilcox is a man under the interest of several clubs, the major competitors being Manchester United and Liverpool. Since Jim Ratcliffe took over the management at Old Trafford, he has been on a move to establish new members who will bring an immediate impact to the team.
They have recruited players and this time round, Southampton could be facing a major loss as the United have taped up their technical director of football Jason Wilcox, who seems set for the big move.
Liverpool also showed their interest in luring him to Anfield but Manchester United seems to have been the successful bidder on him. He played professionally for seventeen years and won the Premier league title with Blackburn Rovers, and earned three caps for England.
After retiring from playing professional football, he moved into coaching and worked his way up to become the academy director at Manchester City where he is credited with helping the team become the best youth set ups in England.
Last summer, he was appointed the technical director of football at Southampton and has been credited for his work on player recruitment for both Manchester City and Southampton.
Wilcox biography
Jason Malcolm Wilcox was born on March 15, 1971 in Bolton, England, and has carved a successful path in the world of football, transitioning from a skillful winger to a coach, and then to a director of football at Southampton.
He had a successful playing career for seventeen years and played as a winger, his most notable stint being with Blackburn Rovers where he was an important contributor to their Premier League title in 1994/95 season. His impressive performance earned him three caps for the England national team.
Jason Wilcox. Photo/Eurosport
Following his success at Blackburn, he moved to Leeds United and later to Leicester City, then ended his playing career with a brief spell at Blackpool in the Football League Championship before hanging up his boots in 2006.
After retirement, Wilcox transitioned into coaching, initially working as a co-commentator for BBC Radio Lancashire. He then joined Manchester City’s coaching staff and his expertise established the academy as one of the best in England.
He rose to the position of the Academy Director, overseeing a period of success that included a national championship win for the Under-18s and two FA Youth Cup final appearances. His impressive work caught the attention of Southampton.
Southampton appointed him as their Director of Football in 2023 responsible for leading the club’s football department and overseeing player recruitment. He is a highly sought-after figure in English football due to his impressive dedication towards his course.
Currently, Manchester United attempted to lure him away from Southampton, highlighting the regard he holds within the sport. His future remains to be seen and his expertise will with no doubt continue to shape the trajectory of a club fortunate enough to have him.
Manchester United’s attempt to recruit Southampton director Wilcox
Manchester United’s attempt to recruit Wilcox from Southampton as their technical director of football in a recent story in the football world. Though it has not been a smooth process, his success in player recruitment at Manchester City and developing their youth academy were highly regarded, that being a proven track record.
He was also seen as part of a large off-field overhaul at Manchester United under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ownership , expected to work alongside Dan Ashworth, another target for a sporting director at Old Trafford.
Jason Wilcox. Photo/Eurosport
Man United offered Southampton a sum equivalent to a year of his salary, believing it triggered a buyout clause in his contract. Southampton disputed the existence of such a clause and were reportedly unhappy with the financial offer and the timing, considering their own promotion push in the Championship.
Southampton requested that he serve his full notice period if the offer was not improved and there are no confirmed reports about Man United improving the offer.
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