n n n ‘. concat(e. i18n. t(“search. voice. recognition_retry”),’n
Manchester United’s coaching of Jason Wilcox has angered Southampton, who are keen to force their director of football to serve an ice year if the salary they are currently offering is increased.
It’s the latest hurdle for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s rebuilding at Old Trafford as they face a struggle to reach a key objective.
Wilcox has been praised for his recruitment work at Manchester City and Southampton, who he joined last summer, and has been tapped through United to steer their move strategy under the new design led by Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford.
United are also looking to bring in Dan Ashworth from Newcastle United but now face a series of difficult negotiations, with Southampton dissatisfied with the money offer and timing of Wilcox’s technique at such a critical level of their promotion to the Premier League.
According to reports on Monday, Wilcox has already submitted his resignation. However, Southampton manager Russell Martin said he heard from Wilcox without delay after his side’s painful 3-2 defeat to Ipswich Town at Portman Road. point this week and I’m sure I’ll have more for you,” Martin said. “You know my emotions about Jason. Me they just texted saying how proud he is of his performance.
Wilcox, who has played a key role in Southampton’s resurgence and a constant presence on the educational pitch alongside Martin, has a 12-month term on his contract despite having worked at the club for just over nine months.
United have put forward a full year’s worth of his salary refund, believing it to be a realistic and respectful offer, and insist they have followed all the proper procedures to take an official approach.
Southampton, however, does not believe that the duration of the Wilcox era is necessarily related to a severance agreement and states that it will not accept the existing offer. And if no deal is reached, the prevailing view at St Mary’s is that Wilcox deserves to resign and wait a year to sign up for the Old Trafford renewal.
United are still hoping for an amicable solution and negotiations are expected to continue in the coming days, with Southampton having no status targets at Wilcox if an acceptable deal can be reached.
Wilcox, who won the Premier League title with Blackburn Rovers and also represented England in his playing career, rose to the position of academy director for 11 years at Manchester City, where he played a vital role in the progression of the likes of Phil Foden and Cole Palmer.
Omar Berrada, United’s new chief executive, has known Wilcox since his time at City and is seen as a very important component of a potential new off-field side led by Ashworth, who would be sporting director. Newcastle have sacked Ashworth from gardening and reportedly it is not easy to reimburse at least £20 million.
Southampton are susceptible to their season being disrupted in the coming weeks and, after leading Ipswich 2-1, saw their hopes of automatic promotion taken a blow after conceding a 97th-minute winning goal.
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, pricing offers and more.