Leicester City F.C.

Jason Wilcox Identified Russell Martin as Potential Future Manchester United Manager During Managerial Search

Published

2 hours ago

November 3, 2026

Manchester United technical director Jason Wilcox regarded Russell Martin as a possible long-term candidate for the Old Trafford job during the club’s managerial discussions in 2024, according to reports.

Wilcox, who joined United after his time at Southampton, was part of the group assessing potential replacements for Erik ten Hag should the Dutchman have been dismissed following that year’s FA Cup final. Ten Hag ultimately retained his position after United defeated Manchester City to lift the trophy.

At the time, Wilcox is said to have accepted that Martin was not yet ready for the United role but recommended keeping him under consideration for the future according to The Athletic.. Wilcox had previously appointed Martin at Southampton, where the team endured an uneven start before embarking on a club-record 25-match unbeaten run that culminated in promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.

Wilcox has long favoured possession-based managers who remain faithful to their principles and was prepared to back Martin at St Mary’s despite the coach never having finished higher than 10th in a league table prior to that appointment.

Martin’s subsequent career path has included significant challenges. He was dismissed by Southampton 16 games into the 2024/25 Premier League season with the club bottom of the table after 13 defeats. He then lasted only 17 matches at Rangers before being sacked and has since taken charge of Leicester City, currently 10th in League One.

Ten Hag’s FA Cup success earned him a new contract, yet he was dismissed after just nine games of the following campaign, becoming the first manager removed under the Ineos ownership. The club later appointed and subsequently parted company with Ruben Amorim before turning to Michael Carrick, who is now operating under increasing pressure amid ongoing scrutiny of the hierarchy’s decisions.

Wilcox himself faced public criticism from defender Lisandro Martinez following a recent defeat to Atletico Madrid. Martinez stated: “I expect more from our technical director. I have to be honest. And also, as a player, we have to do more. It’s also important to build a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night.”