Manchester United officially appoint Dan Ashworth replacement as key figure steps back
Man Utd have reshuffled at boardroom level again in their latest change under Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Manchester United have officially appointed Jason Wilcox as their new sporting director in the latest boardroom reshuffle at the club. It comes after it was revealed Sir David Brailsford would take a step back from his role within Old Trafford and instead focus on his role as director of sport for Ineos.
Brailsford will remain a United director but will not be involved in the day-to-day running of the club as much. The 61-year-old has played a key role at the club since Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed a minority investment and was a leading figure in the current revamp of the club's Carrington training complex.
He also unveiled United's ambitious 'Mission 21' project, that looked at how United could deliver their 21st league title by 2028, to coincide with the club's 150th anniversary. Instead, he oversaw mission 15th, as the club recorded their lowest finish of the Premier League era and failed to qualify for Europe after defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.
Jason Wilcox appointed director of football
Manchester United have also confirmed that Jason Wilcox will officially become their new director of football, stepping up from his previous role as technical director. The role has been vacant ever since the shock departure of Dan Ashworth in November.
United spent six months in pursuit of the former Newcastle chief after he was identified the sole candidate for the top job at Old Trafford. However, he was sacked after just five months after chastening first few months at the club. Sir Jim Ratcliffe claimed there was a 'lack of chemistry' with Ashworth, while he also played a key role in the decision to back former manager Erik ten Hag, only to sack him a few months into the season.
It cost United a total fee of £4.1 million to both hire Ashworth and then sack him, though that figure does not include his wages during his time at the club. Wilcox will formally replace him in the role after taking on more seniority from the technical role he occupied upon his arrival from Southampton a year ago.
United now believe they have a strong football leadership group in place to get the club back on track. It is led by chief executive Omar Berrada, Wilcox as director of football and support from director of recruitment Christopher Vivell and director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves.