Manchester United chief Jason Wilcox reportedly spoke highly of Russell Martin during the managerial recruitment process
Reports have suggested that Russell Martin had been highly spoken about by Man United figures.
Reports have suggested that Russell Martin had been highly spoken about by Man United figures. (Image: Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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Manchester United reportedly considered Russell Martin as a potential candidate in the hunt to replace Erik ten Hag as head coach. According to The Athletic, Jason Wilcox spoke highly of the then-38-year-old, but was aware he would not be one for United due to his experience.
However, it has been said that the United director of football would keep an eye on Martin as the tactician, having previously worked with him during his time within the Southampton hierarchy. The now Leicester City boss was spoken about highly during a period of uncertainty with Ten Hag facing the sack before their FA Cup final win over Manchester City in 2024.
Club officials opted against wielding their axe to dismiss the Dutchman during the summer after the triumph, but subsequently dismissed the former Ajax boss the following October.
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During their time together at the Saints, Wilcox stuck with Martin after he struggled early on before they went on to earn promotion thanks to 25-match unbeaten run.
The United supremo finds himself in a similar predicament at Old Trafford with Michael Carrick and the Theatre of Dreams hierarchy coming under pressure over their poor run of results. Since INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe took minority ownership of the club, they have struggled to heed the slump despite appointing Ten Hag, Ruben Amorim and most recently, Carrick.
The 45-year-old salvaged Champions League football after replacing the Portuguese tactician, earning himself the post on a permanent basis. Their momentum has simmered and it has driven Carrick to the brink as they sit above the relegation zone on goal difference.
Omar Berrada, chief executive officer of Manchester United, and Jason Wilcox, director of football at Manchester United, watched on at Stamford Bridge
Omar Berrada, chief executive officer of Manchester United, and Jason Wilcox, director of football at Manchester United, watched on at Stamford Bridge(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Carrick looked to be the first manager to be sacked in the Premier League this season after being dismantled 3-0 by Bournemouth last Sunday. However, the hierarchy opted to keep him in post for the trip to Stamford Bridge but he couldn't inspire a backs-to-the-wall performance, losing 2-0 with Lisandro Martinez needlessly being sent off for two quickfire bookings.
Martin, on the other hand, has found his managerial stock decreasing since leaving Southampton. He opted for a move to the Scottish Premiership to take over giants Rangers, where he replaced Philippe Clement.
But his time in Glasgow was ill-fated as he was relieved of his duties after 17 games at Ibrox. He has since returned to the dugout in a bid to transform the fortunes of 2016 Premier League champions Leicester City, who have been on a slippery slope of relegation and find themselves in League One.
Martin has had to weather fresh managerial pressure at the Foxes as they find themselves sitting in 10th in the third tier of English football.
Former defender Gary Neville has called for more accountability and culpability from high-profile figures, especially at Old Trafford for their persistent failings with managers and in the transfer window.
He said: "The fans have turned on Jason Wilcox in the second half. Now Jason Wilcox, again, shouldn’t be in the position.
"Jason Wilcox is a technical director who’s had an academy director background, who’s making a journey up, underneath the sporting director, all of a sudden, he’s then making the biggest decisions at one of the biggest football clubs in the world.
"And again, he’s been thrust into a position ahead of his time."