Manchester United have appointed Jason Wilcox as technical director after agreeing compensation with Southampton.
Wilcox will start his role with immediate effect – and is expected to lead United's summer transfer business when it comes to making new signings. His appointment comes less than two weeks after John Murtough left his role of football director at United.
Wilcox had been director of football at Southampton – and the Championship club placed him on gardening leave once he told them he wanted to move to Old Trafford. It's understood United have paid them around £1m to secure his services.
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Wilcox will report to the club's sporting director, which United hope will be Dan Ashworth. But no deal has been struck with Newcastle, who are holding out for £20m in compensation.
United believe it could be the autumn before Ashworth joins the new senior team being put together by investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe. A United spokesman said: "Jason will work with all technical areas of the football department to achieve the highest standards of performance."
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Meanwhile, Southampton said they had "reluctantly agreed to allow director of football Jason to join Manchester United, having reached an agreement with the Premier League side on an acceptable compensation fee".
The Saints statement added: “Whilst the club is naturally disappointed that Jason’s stay at Southampton has only lasted nine months, it wishes him well for the future.”
Wilcox, who won the Premier League title as a player with Blackburn in 1995, previously worked as academy director of Manchester City. His arrival at Old Trafford could be good news for United outcast Jadon Sancho, who was frozen out by manager Erik ten Hag before his return to Borussia Dortmund on loan.
Wilcox worked with Sancho when he was coming through the ranks at City and is reportedly a fan of the winger.
