Southampton manager Russell Martin has given his verdict on director of football Jason Wilcox’s potential switch to Manchester United.
The Reds are in the process of appointing Wilcox for the new technical director role as part of their revamped recruitment team following an official approach to Southampton last week.
Southampton are reportedly demanding more than what United initially offered, but hopefully, the matter will be solved ahead of the summer transfer window.
One man who isn’t looking forward to Wilcox’s likely exit is Saints boss Russell Martin, who still anticipates the man who brought him to the club will make the move to Old Trafford.
“Being brutally honest, the people it affects the most are me and his coaching staff because he brought us into the club,” Martin told BBC Radio Solent, as cited by the Manchester Evening News.
“I don’t think it’s affected the players. Jason is a great guy, I speak to him a lot. I have had the most conversations with him here. I don’t think it’s affected the way we work or the results.
“It has not affected the process we are working on. But, of course, he is a good person and you never want to see good people walk out of the building.”
He added: “Manchester United have a job to get the guy that they want. If it ends up happening then Jason goes with our best wishes. He has played such a big role in changing the culture here.
“What he does has enabled us to be the leaders we want to be. He has been so supportive. Hopefully, we did a good job for him.
“There is still a lot of stuff legally that needs to be worked through by both clubs. If he ends up going, which looks likely, I wish him nothing but the best.
“It’s Manchester United, he moved down here from there. I’m sure the relationship will continue beyond this. He is a good guy and we will see what happens.”
Such a departure can spell a manager when the club hit a rocky patch.
Martin has Southampton in a strong position as they are currently fourth-placed in the Championship, with a chance of promotion to the top flight.
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