Manchester United confirm appointment of Jason Wilcox as technical director from Southampton

Manchester United have announced the appointment of former Southampton director of football Jason Wilcox as their new technical director.

Wilcox will begin his new role immediately after the clubs settled on an “acceptable compensation fee.”

The 53-year-old is the latest senior figure to arrive at Old Trafford since Sir Jim Ratcliffe acquired a minority stake and took over football operations.

Man Utd's club statement read: "Jason Wilcox has joined Manchester United as technical director with immediate effect.

"He will work with all technical areas of the football department to achieve the highest standards of performance.

"Jason was previously director of football at Southampton and before that academy director at Manchester City. As a player he won the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers in 1995."

Having spent 11 years at Manchester City, Wilcox will reunite with a familiar face when Omar Berrada joins United as the new chief executive in the summer.

Saints admitted they were “disappointed” to lose Wilcox but wished him well.

Southampton, in their statement, said: "Southampton Football Club can today confirm that it has reluctantly agreed to allow director of football Jason Wilcox to join Manchester United, having reached an agreement with the Premier League side on an acceptable compensation fee.

"Whilst the club is naturally disappointed that Jason’s stay at Southampton has only lasted nine months, it wishes him well for the future.

"The club will continue to work closely with Russell Martin and his back-room team to ensure they have all the support they require moving forwards."

United are also believed to be in talks to hire Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth as their new sporting director.

Ashworth has been placed on gardening leave after expressing his desire to leave St James’ Park, with talks said to be ongoing.

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