COMMENT: An upgrade. Part of much-needed structural change. That's how Jason Wilcox's appointment at Manchester United is being sold. But it could be - and should be - so much more given the new technical director's past approach...
We know the cv. We know the record of success. As this column stated last week, the Wilcox hire is a coup. It's one for fans to be excited about. But United need more from Wilcox than his record. The club needs him to head a cultural shift.
Going into Saturday's disappointing (and it was disappointing) draw with Burnley, Erik ten Hag - at his pre-match presser - drew a line in the sand. Effectively declaring war on three newspapers - The Sun, The Mirror and the Manchester Evening News. Fed-up with the speculation about his job and claims about his relationship with certain players, the manager went nuclear, refusing to take questions from any of the three outlets in attendance.
Understandable? Over the top? It really depends which side of the fence your standing. Indeed, for this column, you can understand the Dutchman's frustration with the MEN. Ten Hag is now receiving the same treatment Ole Gunnar Solskjaer endured in the final months of his tenure. It reached the point where the editor was even allowing those on match reports to fill them up with opinion of how 'Ole has to go'. Cycle through to today and we're seeing the same lockstep reporting from the local paper.
But can you blame those responsible when, regarding Ten Hag's situation, such a vacuum has been allowed to fester and expand? For the press, also consider the YouTubers, if Ten Hag could step back and take a 60,000 ft view, perhaps he would see why such opinions are being formed and allowed to run. Yes, they're wild and crisis driven. But those involved are also desperate for credible content. And with nothing coming out of the club beyond the word of the manager, how can they be blamed filling this vacuum with speculation?
Regulars of this column will know the frustration we've expressed over Jim Ratcliffe's lack of public support for his manager and the team. Indeed, despite the way Bruno Fernandes has played and led the club since Ratcliffe's investment was made official, we still haven't had any type public utterance about criticisms of the captain in his book. The Fernandes situation just another example of how the new director's silence can encourage rumours and doubt for those on the outside looking in.
And this is where Wilcox can step up. United need him to be their Deco or Max Eberl. Indeed, Ten Hag needs him to speak up. To share the load. To set things straight. Fill that vacuum with an official word and so end the speculation and the need for Ten Hag to be constantly addressing it.
At Barcelona, Xavi last week credited the support he has inside the club for reason why he reversed his resignation decision. They hunt in packs at Barca. The coach is never left out on his own. Whether it be the sporting director Deco, the president Joan Laporta or his No2 Rafa Yuste, they've all been available and supportive in public of Xavi. The great burden that is coaching Barca is shared - at least when it comes to the media - by several willing supporters around the coach.
And for Barca, ditto Bayern Munich. Eberl is barely weeks into his job as sporting director, yet not 48 hours go by without him briefing the press about the club's planning and his reaction to daily events.
United and their managers have never had that. It's always been the man in charge who has worn it all. And in the good times, it works. As it did during the era of Sir Alex Ferguson. But since 2013. Since the job of Manchester United manager has become so unstable. Having this lone voice works against both the manager and the club. Ten Hag needs an ally. A public ally. And if Ratcliffe cannot recognise the need, then you hope Wilcox can - because this speculation doesn't just weigh down the manager, it also hits the dressing room, it's young players. They're all affected when speculation is allowed to run.
Wilcox is capable of being United's Deco or Eberl. At Southampton last year, he appear on the local radio station. He would hold round tables with the local media. He'd explain his decisions, his plans and ambitions. What he did at St Mary's he can do for United and Ten Hag.
Wilcox can offer a cultural shift. One to lessen the burden of the manager - especially in those troughs. And by doing so, perhaps help Ten Hag and those who write about him find a more common understanding.
