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Transpired he could survive losing against lower-league opposition. Survive a decisive European final versus a particularly poor Spurs sides in living memory. He could survive home defeats to domestic rivals, a lowly league position, an unwavering system, undermining the team's most promising academy products, the 32% win rate, calling the squad the poorest in Manchester United history. Yet, there existed one adversary with whom Ruben Amorim was not permitted to tango. You come at Jason Wilcox, and you best not miss.

Regrettably, similar to numerous Premiership defender during Blackburn Rovers' championship campaign, Amorim took on Jason Wilcox and appears to have missed. Even the most casual observer can see the paradoxical situation: a manager who frequently berated at his players for losing one-on-one duels succumbing in the face of the intense pressure and formidable presence of one of the Premier League’s most feared sporting directors.

In truth, this whole painful saga seems to paint Jason Wilcox in a whole new light. Perhaps it might have been tempting, based on his brief stint of experience with the Saints, to regard Jason Wilcox as little more than a functionary within the club's structure: an individual who owed his position largely to his friendship with ex-colleague a fellow executive as any verifiable talent. How mistaken we all were. In brilliantly outmanoeuvring the club's celebrated head coach, just as he bested the unfortunate a previous executive before him, Jason Wilcox has demonstrated to be among football's true generals: a tactical intellect of which United’s competitors are now justifiably concerned.

The Tactical Conflict Regarding Formation & Philosophy

For example, it was Jason Wilcox , after being involved in the hierarchy that appointed the 3-4-3 fundamentalist the coach originally, was instrumental in attempting to convince him to ditch his favored 3-4-3. Unsurprisingly, these pleas were resisted. However, such directives carry more weight when delivered by a man of a man the impeccable soccer background he possesses, holder of international appearances and a contributor to a title-winning side decades past.

Maybe eventually he might agree to outline his thought processes to the rest of us. Maybe one day questions may arise regarding why the coach is walking away with a full payout, without any compensation reduction clause activated. The director seldom speaks in public, for excellent reasons. The true intellectuals in football – men like Jason Wilcox – simply operate at a level beyond our own mundane comprehension. Were he to speak, probably we would perceive would be ultrasonic blips and complex calculations. Desiring an explanation is not the same as being prepared to comprehend it.

The Supreme Power Behind the Throne

Naturally, by focusing our attention on Jason Wilcox we overlook the real power behind the club's current leadership. Jason Wilcox is, in reality, merely executing the directives of his line manager the billionaire owner, who privately has emphasized his preference for a back four. According to reports, Ratcliffe has also suggested playing Bryan Mbeumo as a right wing-back. Ratcliffe is keen for United to adopt analytics and metrics. According to ESPN, during a leadership summit soon after his minority ownership, he declared that United’s style of play “shall be decided in this room”.

Ultimately, Sir Jim is an expert in these intricate football matters, leveraging his background in petrochemicals and sailing. Most importantly he is incredibly rich, and it is known, the rich are superior: more insightful, sagacious, strategically brilliant, fundamentally superior. Who else could one trust to oversee a strategic plan of austerity, the building of a new stadium that looks a lot like an abstract design, the signing of a new striker?

A Modern Football Order: Directors Over Managers

This represents a shift that is becoming prevalent in top-tier of the game. For decades, teams mistakenly entrusted big footballing decisions to low-level employees like managers, talent spotters – players themselves. Perhaps it was once possible for a young, innovative manager with a philosophy and drive to go into an organization and implement their plan supported to fruition. But how many companies have such individuals established? How many large-scale layoffs have they managed? Better by far to invest the real power where it belongs: the executive class, the casually dressed executives, the individuals with impressive professional resumes. It is wiser to decide the tactics by the directors and hire someone who can tailor their offering accordingly. If coaches were once chefs, they have become more like delivery personnel: not really responsible for the product, yet ultimately answerable should it be delivered poorly or fails of the box.

In the meantime, a coach's role has become not about crafting the philosophy and more about selling it: the receptionist on the front desk, the visible figurehead for a club they can do little to influence. Enzo Maresca takes a squad of literal children into Europe and secures domestic cups, and essentially is dismissed for talking. Wilfried Nancy finds his reputation ruined whereas those individuals who appointed him live to blunder indefinitely.

The Modern Corporate Football: Accountability Only for the Coaches

And perhaps in a small way this is simply neoliberalism in action: the rise of a gilded elite who are infallible, whose choices are always untouchable, whose errors can always be resolved by sacking without justification. Appoint the 3-4-3 coach only to fire them for playing too much 3-4-3. Bring in the process guy and later bin them for taking excessive time. And most importantly be grateful; for the incremental increases in ticket costs, for the latest summer signings, for the fact that the grownups – regardless of their expertise – remain in control.