SAINTS manager Russell Martin suggested the club could opt against directly replacing former director of football Jason Wilcox.

Wilcox departed Saints to join giants Manchester United as technical director after a compensation fee was agreed last month.

The former Manchester City academy chief was only in his post for nine months but helped oversee a transition period.

With Wilcox's guidance, Saints have transformed the club philosophy from the first team down to the youth teams in the academy.

However, Martin hinted Saints bosses - Sport Republic and CEO Phil Parsons - could opt to move forward with a different structure. 

Martin told the Daily Echo: "I don't know if that's going to be the case, that we will get a new director of football.

Daily Echo: Jason Wilcox has already started his work at Manchester UnitedJason Wilcox has already started his work at Manchester United (Image: PA)

"We'll get to the end of the season, we'll assess and we're talking all the time - it's not necessarily the structure the owners will go with, I don't think.

"I think we're going to assess everything at the end of the season and the owners will then decide what they want to do but I don't think it's as clear-cut as that."

The Daily Echo understands the decision comes down to replacing Wilcox directly with a like-for-like replacement or increasing the responsibility of others.

Saints already have a head of recruitment in place, after Darren Mowbray joined the club from Scottish outfit Aberdeen last summer.

Mark Bitcon started as performance director for Sport Republic and actively works with Saints while overseeing all clubs in the portfolio. 

Wilcox was hired to launch a new long-term project in 2023 with key staffing positions unfilled or expecting turnover.

Manager Martin, head of recruitment Mowbray, academy director Andy Goldie and several key roles working under leadership have now been hired. 

Martin has recently repeatedly referenced the club continuing in the same direction - a possession-based philosophy - despite Wilcox's exit.

Budget must also be a consideration for a role that is not deemed essential, given whether Saints end up in the Premier League or Championship.