Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones has confirmed his retirement from playing and hopes to embark on a coaching career.
The 32-year-old made 229 first-team appearances for United and ended a 12-year career at the club when his contract expired in the summer of 2023.
Injuries curtailed the former England international’s career, limiting him to just 13 first-team appearances across his last four seasons at Old Trafford and going two separate full seasons without playing a senior match.
“My career finished shorter than I would have liked,” Jones, who coached in United’s Under-18 squad in the 2023-24 season, told BBC Radio 5 Live on Saturday.
“(I’m) glass half full. (I have) completed my A license and I want to get out there and challenge myself in coaching. Ultimately I want to take charge of a team. I am determined to get there.”
Jones joined United from Blackburn Rovers, where he made 40 first-team appearances, in 2011 and went on to be capped 27 times for England at international level.
The former defender won the 2013 Premier League title in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final campaign as manager, and won six trophies during his time at Old Trafford.
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