2024, AUGUST 17 – Phil Jones, the former Manchester United FC and England defender, has announced his retirement from football at the age of 32.
After spending 12 years at Old Trafford following his transfer from Blackburn Rovers FC, Jones made 229 appearances for the Red Devils and helped the team secure the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Europa League titles. However, his final years at the club were hampered by persistent injuries, limiting him to just 13 appearances over three seasons.
Jones left United as a free agent in 2023 and spent the following season working with the club’s academy. During an interview with the BBC on the Premier League’s opening weekend, he officially confirmed his retirement from playing and revealed his ambitions to pursue a coaching career.
“My career ended earlier than I wanted,” Jones admitted, adding that he has completed his UEFA ‘A’ Licence and is eager to take on the challenge of coaching. “Ultimately, I want to manage a team. I am determined to achieve that.”
Jones’ move to Manchester United came after impressing Sir Alex Ferguson with his leadership and conviction during a match between United and Blackburn in which the Red Devils clinched the Premier League title. Ferguson believed Jones had the potential to be one of United’s all-time greats, a sentiment he expressed upon signing the defender in 2011 for £16.5 million.
