A Manchester United icon is back where his story began — but this time in the dugout, not the defense. The former defender takes his first senior coaching step.
Phil Jones has had a great career as a player. He played for Blackburn Rovers for 2 years and then got transferred to Manchester United. Jones was part of United from 2011 until 2023. Phil also won different titles with the Red Devils during those years and had the chance to represent the England national team.
During his career as a player, Jones was a versatile defender because he was able to play in different positions in defense, like center back, but also right back. For Blackburn Rovers, Phil played a total of 40 matches. Instead, for the Red Devils, Jones played 229 games in total and scored 6 goals and gave 8 assists in those 13 years he was part of Manchester United.
Also, the former defender was part of the England national team and contributed to the national team for different years, where he played a total of 27 matches. It is worth mentioning that Jones had a difficult career due to the injuries he had, but despite this, he managed to win 6 titles with the Red Devils.
After he retired as a player in 2023, the former defender remained part of Manchester United but in another role. He was part of the academy of the Red Devils and worked as a coach for different youth teams of United.
Phil was searching for a new opportunity in the coaching world, and this opportunity came these days. And this is a great opportunity because Jones came back to a club that he knows very well, because he played for them as a player.
Jones got his first senior coaching role at his former team, Blackburn Rovers. The former England defender has entered the coaching staff of Michael O’Neill, as Michael was confirmed as the new manager of Blackburn Rovers.
Jones will work alongside Michael and Davis for Blackburn Rovers initially, with a contract until the end of the season, where the only goal for them will be to save Rovers from relegation from the Championship. Phil return at Rovers 15 years after leaving the club for his transfer to Manchester United.
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