Man Utd have given Jason Wilcox a new job title as part of a restructuring that sees Sir Dave Brailsford take a backseat at the club.
Sir Dave Brailsford and Jason Wilcox
Sir Dave Brailsford and Jason Wilcox watch the Europa League final together in Bilbao
Jason Wilcox has been promoted to director of football at Manchester United as part of a restructuring that has seen Sir Dave Brailsford step back from day-to-day responsibilities at Old Trafford.
Brailsford will remain a director at the club but will return to his primary role as INEOS' director of sport. While that position means he remains a key link in the chain between United and INEOS, he is stepping back from a more hands-on role at Old Trafford.
That decision is a result of Sir Jim Ratcliffe settling on a structure to run operations at United. Putting that group together had been Brailsford's primary responsibility, which is why the British cycling chief is now returning to his INEOS role.
The 61-year-old has been a visible presence at the club since Ratcliffe's investment in United was confirmed in December 2023. He has been a regular at games, both at Old Trafford and away from home, and has worked out of Carrington while INEOS got their feet under the table.
Brailsford spoke to staff members and players early on to gauge the mood at United and what needed to change. He was hands-on in key decisions around Erik ten Hag's future, the appointment of Ruben Amorim, and a £50million investment in the training ground.
Sir Dave Brailsford of Manchester United
Sir Dave Brailsford of Manchester United
The move to relinquish his day-to-day involvement comes after Wilcox's promotion from technical director to director of football. This effectively sees him replace Dan Ashworth, who was dismissed as director of football in December 2024 after only five months in the job.
The promotion for former Premier League winner Wilcox reflects the fact that he has taken on most of Ashworth's responsibilities since his dismissal. The former Newcastle supremo failed to strike up a relationship with Ratcliffe.
Wilcox will now report to chief executive Omar Berrada. Christopher Vivell, the director of recruitment, whose position was made permanent earlier this year, is another key figure in the football structure.
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