Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones has opened up on the heartache of leaving the players’ WhatsApp group when he retired and his embarrassment at being injured.
The defender played 229 times for the club over 12 seasons but his career was blighted with constant injury woes.
He eventually left United in 2023 and he has since spoken out on how difficult this was to do for him.
In an interview with The Sun, the former England defender stated that leaving the players’ WhatsApp group was one of the most challenging aspects of retiring.
“Believe it or not, it was quite emotional. I’d been on the WhatsApp for years and banter and you’re sending people pictures and all sorts.”
“I remember sitting in the bedroom going like, ‘Lads, it’s been a pleasure and blah blah blah. Some I’ve played with a lot, some I’ve only just met, but it’s been an absolute pleasure. I wish you all the best and I’ll be your biggest supporters.’ It was a tough moment actually.”
“Do you know what I gave it a minute and there was no response. I was like ‘gone, gone, gone, I’m gone!’ No-one cares. But that’s it. It’s football.
“Things move so quickly and people come in. I played with people for six years. I will never see them again. I’ll never speak to them again.”
The 33 year old claimed that after quitting he was quite bitter and could not bring himself to watch football for the first six months but that now he is in a “great place”.
Jones has been preparing for his FA Pro licence badge where he has been doing a football directorship course but he claims his “bread and butter” is still being on the grass.
He enthused about his time working with the under-18s at Manchester United and that’s “what I really enjoy doing. I know exactly what I want to do, where I want to be.”
The former defender asserted that coaching gives him a purpose and whilst he has also enjoyed being involved in media work, his final aim is to become a head coach.
“When I visualise and try to manifest where I want to be in five years’ time, absolutely, I want to be the guy taking the team. I want to be the guy making the decisions and having support and backing from the club and the owners and choosing that right moment to step in at that time.”
Finally, Jones threw his support behind injured duo Mason Mount and Luke Shaw.
“I feel so sorry for Mason (Mount) and Luke. The feeling for me was almost an embarrassed feeling. You’re at Man United, the biggest club in the world and all you want to do is play football.”
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
