Russell Martin: Jason Wilcox has Southampton manager's best wishes if he departs
- Published
Southampton sit fourth in the Championship table
Southampton manager Russell Martin has said that the "likely" departure of director of football Jason Wilcox impacts him.
"Being brutally honest, the one person this affects the most is me," Martin told BBC Radio Solent.
Reports surfaced this week that Wilcox was to resign but Southampton are yet to confirm this.
He has been linked with a switch to Manchester United having previously worked at Manchester City.
"There is still lots going on that hasn't been clarified yet and legally," Martin added.
"If he ends up going, which if we're being honest looks likely at this point, then he goes with nothing but good wishes from us all.
"He has played such a huge part in changing the culture of this club and the feeling around the training ground, he's enabled us to be the leaders that we want to be."
Shouts that he was to resign emerged midway through Southampton's 3-2 defeat to Ipswich Town last week which frustrated and angered some supporters.
In the post match press conference, Martin refused to expand on the situation, adamant that he would only speak about the game.
Former Premier League winger Wilcox joined Southampton as director of football last summer after the club's relegation to the Championship and hired current manager Russell Martin.
According to reports in February, the former Manchester City academy director is being considered by United for a position to work under Dan Ashworth - who has been approached to become the club's first sporting director.
BBC Sport understands that Southampton rejected the initial approach by Manchester United in February, but it does look as if Wilcox will make the move back up north - when and how remain the complications in this deal.