‘Big changes coming’ – Southampton boss opens up on Jason Wilcox amid Manchester United links

Southampton manager Russell Martin is not surprised that Jason Wilcox has been linked with a senior role at Manchester United, but hopes the speculation will “blow over quickly”.

The Athletic reports that United are working on a potential deal to appoint the 52-year-old as a key figure in the club’s new-look hierarchy. Though no approach is reported to have been made yet, it would mark the latest movement in bolstering the team behind the scenes with Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth also in favour of a move to Old Trafford following Omar Berrada’s switch from Manchester rivals City as United’s new CEO.

Wilcox was appointed as the Saints’ director of football in January 2023 after spending 10 years with Manchester City, taking up the role of Academy Director in 2017. It was in east Manchester where the supremo worked alongside soon-to-be United chief executive Omar Berrada.

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Southampton currently sit third, in the thick of the Championship’s promotion race, with coach Russell Martin leading the charge after his appointment in June 2023. The Saints are looking to bounce back into the English top-flight following last season’s relegation, and enjoyed a strong start to the season despite losing for the first time in 25 matches against Bristol City in midweek.

Speaking ahead of Friday’s showdown with West Bromwich Albion, Martin said United’s reported interest in Wilcox highlights the good work being done at St Mary’s -but he hopes that Wilcox will remain in situ on the South Coast.

“I hope it’s people putting two and two together and coming up with five,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of time and respect for Jason and a good relationship. It’s no surprise to me that someone would look at the job he’s done over a short space of time here and a long period of time at City and be interested in working with him. I’d like to think he would d have a chat with us if anything was in it.

“He’s so honest, he’s so open, he’s been a such big driver of the culture here, he’s enabled us to do the work that we want to do. He’s supported me incredibly well and the staff so I’ve got nothing but praise on the impact he’s had on us and what he’s allowed us to do.”

The former Swansea City manager added: “Also, he gave me the opportunity, it takes a brave man to do that, to appoint a young coach who hasn’t won anything before but he seen beyond that, I think he respects the work that we do. We talk a lot, he’s really open, I’ve enjoyed working with him and I hope we work with him for a long period of time. I can’t speak on behalf of Jason but I hope it’s one of those things that comes out and blows over very quickly.

“There’s big changes coming at United and I’m hoping with his relationship with someone there before and the job he’s doing here, I think it’s a good thing people get linked with a role such as that. I think he feel there’s a job here that he wants to see through, so do we, but I can’t speak on behalf of him. He’s been great for us.”

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