Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones has candidly shared his struggles with accepting the end of his playing career. Revealing how difficult it was for him to even watch football after retiring. Over a 12-year span at United, Jones made 229 appearances, but his journey was marred by injuries. Sidelining him for nearly two years before he attempted a comeback in 2022.
In the lead-up to the 2022/23 season, Jones rejoined the squad with hopes of playing a significant role under manager Erik ten Hag. However, those aspirations came crashing down after a painful final training session, marking the abrupt end to his playing days. This experience left him grappling with bitterness towards the sport, as he found it challenging to engage with football during his transition.
“After I finished, it took me a while to watch football because I felt bitter about it,” Jones admitted during a recent appearance on the High Performance Podcast. “I would look at games—not just Manchester United’s matches—but games from around the world and think, ‘I’m better than that.’ People are raving about players, and I know I was better than some of them, but I couldn’t show it. For three or four months, I didn’t watch football. When my friends came over, I’d tell them, ‘Don’t switch the football on. I’m not interested.'”
Despite staying on Manchester United’s roster during Ten Hag’s first season, the club did not include Jones in any matchday squads. He eventually received his release in 2023, although he officially confirmed his retirement a year later. His comments indicate that he had been aware for some time that he wouldn’t return to professional play.
The transition from professional athlete to retirement can be challenging, and Jones’ situation is no exception. The final years of his career were particularly difficult, overshadowed by injury and absence from the pitch. “When you say you’ve retired, it feels like, ‘Oh right, that’s it. Finished, done. See you later, thanks for coming,'” he reflected. “But it’s not like that for me; I still feel like I’ve got so much to give. Yet, it was also a relief. I remember driving home in tears that day, and when I walked through the door, my wife just knew.”
Since stepping away from competitive football, Jones has shifted his focus to coaching, actively pursuing his professional coaching badges. Recently, he enjoyed success by leading the Manchester United Under-18s to the Premier League National title, demonstrating his commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent in the sport.
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