Jason Wilcox: Man Utd technical director's best signings - ranked
- Wilcox has been appointed Man Utd's new technical director
- Former winger worked as an academy coach for Man City before becoming academy director in 2017
- Southampton hired Wilcox as technical director in 2023 but lost him less than 12 months later
Manchester United have finalised the signing of Jason Wilcox as the new technical director of the INEOS regime.
A highly regarded figure in the industry, Wilcox worked his way up through the academy ranks at rivals Manchester City before becoming academy director in 2017, spending six successful years leading a youth setup that established itself as one of the best in the world under his tutelage.
Southampton offered Wilcox his first taste of senior action in 2023 when they hired him as technical director, but less than 12 months later, United have sealed his signature as they prepare for life under new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
As he prepares to get to work, here are Wilcox's five greatest signings, ranked.
5. Cole Palmer
Look, Cole Palmer wasn't exactly Wilcox's signing, but the midfield maestro's career would look a whole lot different without his involvement, so he has to sneak in at the bottom of this list.
Aged 16, Palmer was set to be released from the City academy. However, Wilcox advocated for him to be offered a professional contract after being convinced by his ability.
The contract was arranged, despite doubts from others at the club, and Palmer has since justified that faith from Wilcox.
4. Taylor Harwood-Bellis
After spending over a decade in City's academy system, Wilcox gained a real insight into the upcoming talent at the club.
In walks Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who joined Southampton on loan on deadline day in the summer. The England youngster saw interest from a range of top-flight sides, but chose a move to St Mary's thanks to Wilcox.
Harwood-Bellis was massive to Burnley's promotion in 2022/23 and has played an immense role in Southampton's quest to return to the Premier League.
3. Liam Delap
In his role as City's academy director, Wilcox helped lure young striker Liam Delap over from Derby County in 2019.
Delap scored silly numbers of goals at academy level and even netted once for Pep Guardiola's seniors, earning a reputation as one of the most exciting young players in England.
Currently enjoying a fruitful loan in the Championship with Hull City, he will hope to take a step closer to realising his potential next season.
2. Oscar Bobb
Plucking unproven youngsters from obscurity was part of the deal for Wilcox at City, and few signings embody that quite like Oscar Bobb's arrival from Valerenga in 2019.
Bobb hadn't even played a minute of senior football when City decided to snap him up and there were questions about his signing after a relatively slow start to life in City's academy, but the winger eventually found his feet and exploded on to the scene.
The 2023/24 campaign has seen Bobb become a key part of Guardiola's senior side, filling the void left behind by Palmer's exit.
1. Romeo Lavia
Guardiola first spotted Romeo Lavia strutting his stuff at a youth tournament organised by Kevin De Bruyne, and less than one year later, the midfielder was on his way to City.
Lavia divided his time at City between sporadic first-team appearances and making youth football look far too easy. A £14m sale to Southampton in 2022, one year before Wilcox coincidentally made the same move, was quickly seen as a bargain, particularly after Chelsea made a £50m bid for his services just a few months later.
After proving he could hang in the Premier League, Lavia eventually joined Chelsea in a deal worth up to £58m in 2023. Wilcox knew he'd struck gold.
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