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Iturns out he could survive a loss to Grimsby. Survive a decisive European final against a particularly poor Spurs sides for many years. He could survive home defeats to domestic rivals, finishing 15th, an unwavering system, undermining some of the club’s best academy products, the 32% win rate, calling the squad the poorest in Manchester United history. Yet, there existed one adversary with whom the Portuguese coach was not permitted to dance. If you challenge Jason Wilcox, you had better succeed.

Unfortunately, like many a top-flight right-back in Blackburn’s title-winning campaign, Amorim took on the executive and seems to have missed. Even the most distracted of readers will notice the paradoxical situation: a manager who frequently berated his squad for losing one-on-one duels succumbing when confronted by the white heat and animal charisma of one of England's top division's most feared football executives.

In truth, this entire painful saga seems to paint the director in a whole new light. Perhaps it might have been tempting, based on his brief stint in a similar role with the Saints, to regard Jason Wilcox as merely a drudge within the club's structure: an individual whose appointment was due largely to his friendship with ex-colleague Omar Berrada as any verifiable talent. How wrong everyone was. By masterfully outmanoeuvring the club's celebrated manager, just as he bested the unfortunate a previous executive earlier, he has demonstrated to be among football's true generals: a strategic mind of which United’s competitors are now rightly wary.

A Strategic Conflict Over System and Philosophy

For example, it was the director who being involved in the hierarchy that appointed the 3-4-3 fundamentalist Amorim originally, played a key role in trying to persuade Amorim to abandon his beloved formation. Unsurprisingly, these entreaties were resisted. However, such directives hold greater authority when issued from the mouth with the impeccable soccer background of Jason Wilcox, holder of international appearances and a role in a championship team from 31 years ago.

Maybe eventually he may be persuaded to explain his thought processes publicly. Maybe one day questions may arise why Amorim is walking away with a full payout, without any penalty clause in place. The director seldom speaks in public, and with very good reason. The real thinkers of this sport – individuals such as Jason Wilcox – function at a level beyond our own mundane comprehension. Were he to speak, probably we would perceive would be high-frequency signals and complex calculations. Desiring an explanation is not equivalent to being prepared to receive.

The Supreme Power Behind the Throne

But of course, by focusing our attention on Jason Wilcox we overlook the true genius behind the modern United throne. Jason Wilcox is, after all, merely executing the commands of his ultimate superior the billionaire owner, who in private has made very clear his preference for a four-man defense. It is reported, the owner has also suggested playing Bryan Mbeumo in a wing-back role. Ratcliffe is keen for the club to adopt analytics and analytics. According to ESPN, in an executive meeting early in his investment, he announced that the team's approach of play “will be decided in this room”.

Ultimately, Ratcliffe is an expert in this technical football matters, drawing from his background in petrochemicals and yachting. Most importantly he remains immensely wealthy, and it is known, the wealthy are the best of us: more insightful, more wise, more tactically astute, simply better. Who else could one trust to manage a strategic plan of cost-cutting, the construction of a new stadium that looks a lot like an abstract design, the acquisition of Benjamin Sesko?

A Modern Football Hierarchy: Executives Above Managers

This is a trend that is becoming prevalent at the elite levels football. Historically, clubs foolishly delegated big footballing decisions to subordinate staff such as coaches, talent spotters – players themselves. Perhaps it was once possible for an up-and-coming, innovative manager with a philosophy and drive to go into a club and see their vision through to completion. But how many companies have these guys established? How many mass redundancies have they overseen? Better by far to invest genuine authority where it rightly belongs: the leadership tier, the open-necked shirt brigade, the guys with impressive LinkedIn profiles. Better by far to determine the tactics in the boardroom and appoint a coach who will adapt their methods accordingly. If coaches were formerly chefs, they have become more like delivery personnel: not really creating the food, yet finally accountable should it be delivered cold or fails of the box.

In the meantime, their job has become less about crafting the philosophy and more about selling it: the receptionist of the operation, the public face of an organisation they can do little to influence. A coach at Chelsea takes a squad of literal children into Europe and secures two medium-sized trophies, and essentially is dismissed for talking. Wilfried Nancy finds his reputation ruined while those individuals who hired him continue to make errors another day.

The Neoliberal Football: Responsibility for the Few

And perhaps in a small way this is simply corporate governance in action: the elevation of a privileged elite who can never be wrong, whose choices remain sacrosanct, whose errors can always be resolved by sacking without justification. Appoint the system coach only to fire them for playing too much 3-4-3. Bring in the project manager and then bin them for taking too long. And most importantly show gratitude; for the incremental increases in ticket costs, for the latest player acquisitions, for the reality that the grownups – however well qualified – are in charge.