Jason Wilcox has been named Manchester United’s director of football, as Sir Dave Brailsford scales back his involvement with the club.
Brailsford has been Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s right-hand man since the INEOS billionaire completed his partial investment into United and assumed operational control. The cycling guru has been an instrumental figure in the overhaul at United.
Brailsford played a key role in spearheading the revamp of United’s Carrington training complex, which is on track for full completion ahead of the 2025/26 season.
He also led United’s ambitious ‘Mission 21’ campaign, which is aimed at securing a 21st league title and ‘Mission 1’, focused on clinching the club’s first Women’s Super League crown, both key pillars of the broader ‘Project 150’ initiative to celebrate United’s 150th anniversary in 2028.
It was stated that Brailsford will return to his role as director of sport for the wider INEOS group.
Ratcliffe is also understood to be keen on Brailsford providing his input on Thomas Geraint’s transition from athlete to management at INEOS Grenadiers.
According to The Athletic, Wilcox has been promoted as Ratcliffe’s changes take shape.
“Sir Dave Brailsford is relinquishing his day-to-day role at Manchester United and returning to act as director of sport for INEOS, in a major recalibration of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Old Trafford executive.”
“The move coincides with Jason Wilcox being named United’s director of football, a position of increased seniority from the technical director title he initially arrived with in April 2024.”
Laurie Whitwell and Mark Critchley state that Brailsford “is stepping back” to give Wilcox and the other members of United’s leadership group the space to carry out their duties.
But he will not be completely absent from United affairs, as he still retains his seat on the board.
Brailsford will continue to advise on “strategic performance matters” as Ratcliffe tries to restore the Red Devils to their past glories.
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
