The Amorim-Wilcox exchange that 'blew up'
- Published
One person's interference is another's constructive feedback, which is how Jason Wilcox's exchange with Ruben Amorim before the draw at Leeds at the weekend has been interpreted.
It was supposed to be a chat about the transfer window but the topic became tactics.
Points were made about the wisdom of switching formations and returning to a back three for a meeting with bottom-of-the-table Wolves at the end of December.
According to sources, Amorim "blew up", went to his pre-match press conference, when he hinted at a changing strategy, before going nuclear at Elland Road, identifying Wilcox as one of the people he felt was overstepping the mark.
It is easy to see why Amorim might view suggestions he should change his formation, and be questioned about his perceived negative approach against Wolves, as someone going outside of their remit.
Yet it is also true that while the manager, or head coach, of a football team may be in a powerful position, there are people beyond the fanbase he is accountable to.
At Manchester United, Wilcox is one of them.
The events of the past few days will draw more attention to Wilcox, whose brief is enormous.
"The academy is under me," Wilcox told the in-house Inside Carrington podcast at the beginning of November.
"On the women's side, I support [head coach] Marc [Skinner] from a technical perspective. Recruitment, operations, travel, logistics, kit. Medicine.
"The breadth of the role is huge. I'm accountable for it but I have an amazing team."
