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Southampton manager Russell Martin has insisted that he still expects director of football Jason Wilcox to move to Manchester United despite the ongoing standoff between the two clubs.
Earlier this week, United made an official approach to Southampton for Wilcox but the Saints knocked back the offer.
United offered the Saints an equivalent of a year of Woilcox’s salary which the Red Devils believe meets a buyout clause contained in his deal.
Southampton were said to be “annoyed” and “angered” by the 20-time English champions’ overtures attempted to lure away their executive.
The Championship outfit have also firmly disputed that such a clause exists on Wilcox’s contract and want significantly more money than what United put on the table.
In an effort to force through a switch to Old Trafford and join Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s project, Wilcox resigned from his post at St Mary’s Stadium. United may however have to wait for 12 months before formally appointing Wilcox while he serves a period of gardening leave.
Amidst all this, Southampton gaffer Russell Martin spoke to BBC Radio Solent (via The Daily Mail) and hinted that it’s only a matter of time before Wilcox completes a switch to the Red Devils.
He said, “Being brutally honest, the one person this affects the most is me. There is still lots going on that hasn’t been clarified yet and legally.”
“If he ends up going, which if we’re being honest looks likely at this point, then he goes with nothing but good wishes from us all.”
“He has played such a huge part in changing the culture of this club and the feeling around the training ground, he’s enabled us to be the leaders that we want to be.”
Wilcox won the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers as a player in 1995 before delving into football administration.
It’s during his time at Manchester City that the 53-year-old really made a name for himself. He spent 11 years at the Etihad in a variety of roles including the Academy Director, where he played a crucial role in the development of stars like Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb.
It’s easy to see why Ratcliffe and INEOS want Wilcox as part of their campaign to install industry-leading individuals to key positions at United.
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