26 September 2023 , 10:52
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Phil Jones has announced his latest move on social media after beginning a course with the PFA business school.
The former Manchester United defender, who only left Old Trafford in the summer after several injury hit years, has begun studying in global football sport directorship whilst also pressing on with his coaching badges, which he will do through the Red Devils.
Jones had spent more than a decade on the red half of Manchester, struggling for games and minutes in recent years with fitness a major issue. He's remained in and around Carrington however, being seen at several youth games in recent weeks, and will now begin planning for life after football.
He posted: "Start of a new journey. Great to begin the global football sport directorship course with the PFA business school, learning new things about the game, whilst also continuing to push ahead with my A licence and badges at the club that gave me so much. Excited to get started."
Jones has spent the majority of his career in Manchester having initially come through the ranks at Blackburn Rovers. It was Sir Alex Ferguson who signed a young Jones after less than 50 professional appearances as he tipped the Englishman for big things.
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He continued to play regularly under the likes of Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, but after that, with injuries sidelining him for long periods, his future at Old Trafford always looked bleak. Erik ten Hag had brought in a number of new defenders and the decision was made to part ways with Jones back in the summer.
Jones hasn't officially retired but no offers have been forthcoming and, having spent so long without regular football, it remains unclear as to whether he will land a contract elsewhere.
“It’s been very difficult, the last couple of years,” Jones admitted in his farewell to United. “There’s no denying that. There is no hiding away from that. My family have been absolutely instrumental in keeping me on the straight and narrow and keeping me focused, to try to get fit and try to play more.”
He went on to say: “I’ve missed playing football. I missed it. You grow up playing football and all you want to do is play football. It’s all I’ve known, from such a young age, is to do what you love doing for a living. I’ve been fortunate enough to do that, albeit not as much as I would have liked."