Sir Dave Brailsford pictured with new Manchester United director of football Jason Wilcox in the stands before a UEFA Europa League round of sixteen second leg match at Old Trafford, Manchester. _(Image: PA)_
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FORMER Saints chief Jason Wilcox has reportedly been promoted to Manchester United's director of football in a restructure at Old Trafford.
Wilcox, 53, departed St Mary's in April last year after nine months as director of football to become Man United's new technical director.
The Red Devils ended last season trophy-less after defeat to Spurs in the Europa League final, and finished 15th in the Premier League.
It is by far the English giant's worst campaign of the Premier League era, having placed eighth the previous campaign and winning the FA Cup.
However, Wilcox is widely reported to have won a promotion to become Man United's new director of football, in a position of increased seniority.
Jason Wilcox pictured with minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe _(Image: PA)_
Wilcox, who was academy chief at Man City before joining Saints in 2023, helped engineer the St Mary's side's Championship promotion.
But he departed before the job was done in April 2024, and was formally replaced just under a year later by technical director Johannes Spors.
Saints received £1.7m in compensation payments last year, with these payments likely made up by compensation for Wilcox's early release.
Wilcox was instrumental in the hiring of struggling current Man United manager Ruben Amorim, who has won just seven of 27 league games.
Furthermore, Sir Dave Brailsford is set to reduce his role at Man United under a reshuffle being planned by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Brailsford has played a major part since Ratcliffe secured his stake in February 2024, but will return to his wider role as director of sport Ineos.