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Turns out he could survive losing against Grimsby. Survive a decisive continental showpiece against a particularly poor Tottenham teams for many years. He could survive home defeats to domestic rivals, a lowly league position, the tactical inflexibility, laying waste to the team's most promising homegrown talent, the 32% win rate, labeling the squad the worst in Manchester United history. But there was a single opponent with whom the Portuguese coach would not be allowed to dance. If you challenge Jason Wilcox, and you best not miss.

Unfortunately, similar to numerous top-flight defender during Blackburn Rovers' title-winning 1994-95 season, the coach took on Jason Wilcox and appears to have failed. Even the most distracted of readers can see the irony here: a manager who often railed at his players for failing in individual battles succumbing when confronted by the white heat and animal charisma of one of the Premier League’s most intimidating football executives.

In truth, this whole painful saga appears to portray Jason Wilcox in a whole new light. Perhaps it might have been tempting, based on his nine months of experience with the Saints, to regard him as little more than a functionary within the club's structure: a man whose appointment was due largely to his friendship with ex-colleague Omar Berrada rather than any demonstrable skill. How wrong we all were. In brilliantly outmanoeuvring the club's celebrated manager, just as he bested the unfortunate Dan Ashworth earlier, he has proved himself to be among the sport’s strategic masterminds: a tactical intellect of which the club's competitors are now rightly wary.

The Strategic Clash Over Formation & Philosophy

For example, it was Jason Wilcox , after being involved in the hierarchy that hired the 3-4-3 fundamentalist the coach in the first place, was instrumental in attempting to convince Amorim to ditch his beloved 3-4-3. Naturally, these pleas faced pushback. However, these judgements hold greater authority when delivered from the mouth with the impeccable soccer background he possesses, holder of three England caps and a contributor to a title-winning side from 31 years ago.

Perhaps in time he might agree to outline his thought processes to the rest of us. Perhaps at some point questions may arise why Amorim is departing with a full payout, without any compensation reduction clause activated. The director seldom speaks publicly, and with very good reason. The real thinkers of this sport – men like him – function at a level exceeding our mundane comprehension. If he ever did speak, most likely we would perceive is a series of ultrasonic blips and complex calculations. Wanting is not the same as being ready to comprehend it.

An Supreme Power Behind the Throne

But of course, by focusing our attention on the sporting director we overlook the true genius behind the club's current leadership. Jason Wilcox is, in reality, merely executing the directives of his superior Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who in private has emphasized his preference for a back four. It is reported, the owner has also proposed playing Bryan Mbeumo in a wing-back role. Ratcliffe is keen for United to adopt data science and analytics. According to ESPN, in an executive meeting soon after his minority ownership, he declared that United’s style to football “shall be determined by this group”.

Ultimately, Ratcliffe is an expert in these intricate football matters, leveraging his previous experience in petrochemicals and yachting. Above all he is immensely wealthy, and as we all know, the wealthy are superior: more insightful, more wise, strategically brilliant, simply superior. Whom else would you trust to manage a strategic plan of cost-cutting, the building of a new stadium that appears similar to someone’s leftover knitting, the acquisition of a new striker?

A New Football Hierarchy: Directors Above Managers

This represents a shift we are increasingly seeing in top-tier football. Historically, clubs foolishly delegated major sporting choices to low-level employees such as coaches, talent spotters – even footballers. Maybe previously feasible for an up-and-coming, innovative manager with a philosophy and energy to go into an organization and implement their plan through to completion. But how many businesses have these guys set up? How many large-scale layoffs have they managed? Better by far to place genuine authority where it belongs: the leadership tier, the open-necked shirt brigade, the individuals with the jaw-dropping professional resumes. It is wiser to determine the strategy by the directors and hire someone who can tailor their offering to suit. If coaches were formerly chefs, they have become more akin to delivery personnel: not creating the product, but still ultimately answerable if it arrives cold or leaks out to meet standards.

In the meantime, a coach's role has become less about crafting the philosophy and more about selling it: the receptionist of the operation, the public face for a club they can do little to influence. Enzo Maresca leads a team of literal children into Europe and secures domestic cups, and effectively gets sacked for speaking out. Wilfried Nancy sees his reputation ruined whereas those individuals who hired him continue to make errors another day.

A Neoliberal Game: Accountability for the Coaches

And perhaps on some microcosmic level this is simply corporate governance in action: the elevation of a gilded overclass who are infallible, whose decisions remain sacrosanct, whose mistakes can invariably be sacked away without explanation. Appoint the system coach and then fire them for playing too much that system. Bring in the project manager and later discard him for taking too long. And above all be grateful; for the incremental increases in ticket costs, for your new summer signings, for the reality that the grownups – regardless of their expertise – remain in control.