Backstage Sparks: Wilcox's Remark Triggers Clash at Manchester United

Backstage tensions at Manchester United

The Portuguese coach felt his value had been undermined after a remark made by Wilcox at the final meeting before the dismissal.

Jason Wilcox compared his role at Manchester United to that of the 'manager behind the scenes,' a description that angered former coach Ruben Amorim and helped escalate the tension that preceded his sacking.

According to inside-the-training-ground sources cited by The Sun, Wilcox—the club's head of football—presented himself as 'the manager,' while insisting Amorim is the 'coach,' a stance that reportedly fuelled the Portuguese's ire.

It's still unclear whether Wilcox conveyed this description to Amorim during the infamous meeting held last Friday, which saw the coach erupt.

But it is certain Amorim learned of those remarks, as reflected clearly in his post-match press conference after United's 1-1 draw with Leeds United, where he publicly asserted he should be called 'the team manager' rather than 'the head coach'.

During the press conference at Elland Road, Amorim used the word 'manager' four times in response to three different questions.

Reports suggested Wilcox directly criticized Amorim's tactical choices, telling him he lacked the track record or 'coaching experience' of some other managers, points Amorim effectively exposed to the public in his latest Manchester United press conference as coach.

A well-placed source described the meeting as 'catastrophic,' with Wilcox's conduct described as 'over the line.' By contrast, club insiders insisted Wilcox held authority over Amorim and that his notes and evaluations were within his remit.

Wilcox joined United in April 2024 as technical director, before being promoted to head of football last year.

Yet at 54, he has faced heavy criticism for the way Amorim was dismissed and for his suitability to a role of such magnitude at a club of United's size.

Earlier in his career, Wilcox served as football director at Southampton for nine months, after five years coaching at Manchester City's academy, followed by six more years directing the academy.

Punchlines for the dressing room crowd: If you're the 'manager behind the scenes', remember that the real show is still on the pitch—and the headlines are the critics’ encore. Also: in football, the mic is always on the fans, not the squad—try not to drop it mid-press conference.