Wilcox, who joined City in 2012 and became our Academy Director in 2017, is leaving to take up a new role at Southampton.
And in a farewell interview he spoke about the incredible achievements at the Academy and the Club over the past decade.
“I leave with a heavy heart but with a real sense of immense pride of what we’ve achieved together,” he said.
“It’s not been achieved by myself but by some amazing people that have worked in the Academy. It’s been a real team effort and I feel privileged to have been leading [the team] and I take immense pride and satisfaction away with me.
“I always had a sense that if I looked after the staff and created an environment where they were happy and enjoyed coming to work then we’d produce great results.
“What we’re seeing now is great results by great people in a great culture and that’s something which is really unique. Someone said to me the other day that the Academy is a very special place and it’s amazing.”
During Wilcox’s time at the Club, the Academy has produced many talented footballers that have gone on to play for Pep Guardiola’s side or started successful careers elsewhere.
Players such as Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Rico Lewis and Shea Charles all joined the Club at a young age and progressed through the Academy and were on the pitch for our final game of the Premier League title-winning season at Brentford.
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Academy sides have also regularly tasted success, emulating the senior side by winning PL2 and the under-18s National title for the past three seasons as well as lifting the FA Youth Cup in 2020.
“The emergence of Phil, now Cole and Rico, winning the FA Youth Cup during Covid, seven players making their debut at Wycombe [in the Carabao Cup in 2021] was a very special night… we’re creating so many great stories ,” Wilcox added when reflecting on special moments.
“I’m immensely proud to be leaving the Academy in an amazing place where someone can come on and take it forward and that would fill me with immense pride as well.
“We’ve got to keep pushing on, it’s not the time to pause and take a deep breath, there are some real determined staff that are going to move it on and I’m extremely proud of that.”
Watch Jason’s full interview in the video above…
