Manchester United has long been associated with a 'footballing philosophy', but the reality is far more sinister. Behind every successful team lies a power structure of unelected executives, who dictate the direction of the club.
The latest casualty of this system is Ruben Amorim, who was axed just months after taking charge of the team. But it's not just Amorim's tactical decisions that are under scrutiny - it's also the man pulling the strings behind the scenes: Jason Wilcox, United's director of football operations.
Wilcox has emerged as a key player in the club's decision-making process, but his role is far from transparent. Few details are known about his thought processes or how he arrived at certain decisions. His involvement in hiring and sacking coaches like Amorim raises questions about accountability and oversight within the club.
It's also worth noting that Wilcox's influence may not be limited to footballing matters alone. Rumors have surfaced that billionaire owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has been instrumental in shaping United's direction, favors a back four and wants to play Bryan Mbeumo as a right wing-back.
This kind of thinking is not unique to Manchester United, however. Across the football world, we're seeing a trend towards unelected executives calling the shots behind the scenes. Coaches are often little more than frontmen for these decision-makers, with their job revolving around selling the vision rather than defining it.
In an era where fan power and grassroots involvement seem increasingly marginalized, it's worth examining this phenomenon further. How many more clubs will continue to prioritize the interests of a gilded overclass at the expense of genuine footballing expertise? As we watch the likes of Wilcox and Ratcliffe shape United's future, we should also be asking ourselves: what does this mean for the beautiful game itself?
The latest casualty of this system is Ruben Amorim, who was axed just months after taking charge of the team. But it's not just Amorim's tactical decisions that are under scrutiny - it's also the man pulling the strings behind the scenes: Jason Wilcox, United's director of football operations.
Wilcox has emerged as a key player in the club's decision-making process, but his role is far from transparent. Few details are known about his thought processes or how he arrived at certain decisions. His involvement in hiring and sacking coaches like Amorim raises questions about accountability and oversight within the club.
It's also worth noting that Wilcox's influence may not be limited to footballing matters alone. Rumors have surfaced that billionaire owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has been instrumental in shaping United's direction, favors a back four and wants to play Bryan Mbeumo as a right wing-back.
This kind of thinking is not unique to Manchester United, however. Across the football world, we're seeing a trend towards unelected executives calling the shots behind the scenes. Coaches are often little more than frontmen for these decision-makers, with their job revolving around selling the vision rather than defining it.
In an era where fan power and grassroots involvement seem increasingly marginalized, it's worth examining this phenomenon further. How many more clubs will continue to prioritize the interests of a gilded overclass at the expense of genuine footballing expertise? As we watch the likes of Wilcox and Ratcliffe shape United's future, we should also be asking ourselves: what does this mean for the beautiful game itself?