Romano provides Wilcox update amid Liverpool links to Manchester United target

Liverpool have got no interest in hiring the Southampton director of football Jason Wilcox following reports that Manchester United were looking to “hijack” the Reds’ move for the former winger. 

That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who was reacting to the news delivered by the Evening Standard on Monday that Liverpool wanted Wilcox. 

It was recently reported that Wilcox had resigned his post with the Saints, leading to links with other clubs.

The 53-year-old former Manchester City academy director took up his post at Southampton in January 2023 and is wanted by Sir Jim Ratcliffe to form part of his INEOS-led revolution around Old Trafford. 

However, according to Romano, reports of Liverpool contesting United for his signature are wide of the mark. 

“No negotiations or talks taking place between Jason Wilcox and Liverpool, as reported yesterday,” Romano wrote on X, formerly Twitter. 

“Wilcox has agreed to join Manchester United as new technical director, ready to be part of INEOS project. It's just about 'when', no talks planned with other clubs.”

Liverpool are making plans for the post-Jurgen Klopp era with Richard Hughes coming in as technical director.

He was headhunted by Michael Edwards, FSG’s new CEO of Football, having worked together during their Portsmouth days. 

One of the first hurdles to overcome for the new duo will be the appointment of a new manager.

Ruben Amorim of Sporting CP and Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi are believed to be among the candidates to replace Klopp with Xabi Alonso now out of the running having announced he will stay with Bayer Leverkusen. 

Wilcox, who has a background in coaching, was reported to have been wanted by the Anfield side in an as-yet unknown capacity but the Reds have got zero intention in appointing him. 

Instead, he will become Ratcliffe’s technical director amid uncertainty that United will be able to appoint Newcastle’s Dan Ashcroft in the immediate future.