Jason Wilcox has offered his resignation at Southampton after Manchester United made an official approach to hire him as their new director of football.
The Red Devils are shaking things up behind the scenes following Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos’ arrival as key investors, taking control of football operations at the club. Omar Berrada is due to become their new chief executive, while Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth has also been targeted.
Wilcox, Manchester City’s former academy leader, is now said to have resigned from his role at St Mary’s as per Fabrizio Romano.
Wilcox left his role at the Etihad Stadium in 2023 to take a senior role at Southampton, having helped the likes of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Rico Lewis make their first-team debuts for the Cityzens.
Man Utd have made an offer worth the equivalent of a year’s salary, according to Sky Sports, and believe that will meet a buy-out clause in his current contract. Southampton, however, have disputed the existence of such a clause and are unhappy with the timing of the approach.
Southampton are embroiled in the promotion hunt in the Championship, currently sandwiched between Leeds and West Brom in fourth, and believe Wilcox is worth lots more in compensation despite his brief stay of just nine months so far.
Berrada is said to be keen for Wilcox to be part of a new recruitment team at Old Trafford to be led by 53-year-old backroom target Ashworth. The sporting director has been placed on gardening leave by the Magpies but there are fears a stalemate has been reached in negotiations with United.
Newcastle are said to be keen for a compensation fee worth £20m for Ashworth, but Man Utd have so far refused to meet that asking price.
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