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Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones is set to begin an exciting new chapter in his football journey as he transitions into coaching.

Jones began his professional career with Blackburn Rovers before securing a move to Old Trafford in 2011. During his time with the Red Devils, he clinched the Premier League title in 2013 and earned high praise from Sir Alex Ferguson, who once suggested that Jones possessed the potential to become Manchester United’s greatest-ever player.

However, persistent injuries hindered his progress, preventing him from fully realising his immense promise. Over the course of his United career, he made 229 appearances and scored six goals.

After struggling with fitness issues and limited game time in his final four seasons, Jones officially retired from professional football in 2023.

Following his retirement, the former England international joined Manchester United’s under-14 and under-18 coaching setups. In February, he took on a senior coaching role at Blackburn Rovers, furthering his development off the pitch.

Earlier this month, Jones departed from Blackburn and joined Sheffield United, marking the next step in his coaching career.

In an interview with Sheffield United’s official website, Jones spoke about his excitement at joining the club. “I think it’s a club that’s got rich history. I’ve played against them a lot of times over the years. I know exactly what they’re about, what the fans expect, and speaking to Chris (Wilder) and the staff, it was a project that I was really excited about,” he said.

Discussing his role in more detail, he added, “I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve had some good conversations with him (Wilder) on how he sees the team and how he wants to play. The project’s there. I’m excited about it.”

Reflecting on his early coaching experience, Jones explained, “I think when I finished, it (coaching) was always something at the forefront of my mind, what I wanted to do, stay in the game. I spent a couple of years in the academy at Man United, which was great for my learning, my development. I got the call from Michael (O’Neill) to go in at Blackburn to the end of last season, which was really good. I really enjoyed it.”

Jones’s transition into coaching highlights his enduring passion for the sport and his determination to contribute to the game beyond his playing days.