Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones has announced his retirement at the age of 32, to pursue a full-time coaching career.

    The England centre-back left the Red Devils in May 2023 after joining them in 2011 and has not signed a new contract, and is now focused on a coaching career having returned to United in September last year to help with the Under-18s.

However, the ex-England centre-back managed just 13 appearances in his final three seasons at United due to a slew of long-term injuries. The defender left as a free agent in 2023, then spent the following season in a coaching role with the Red Devils’ academy.

And in an interview with the Ufabet on Saturday on the opening weekend of the Premier League, the former Blackburn starlet officially confirmed his playing days were behind him as he pursues a new venture in coaching.

    “My career ended sooner than I had hoped,” Jones told Ufabet 5 Live as he explained the decision.

    “Of course it’s disappointing but on the other hand, I’ve completed my A-license and worked with the U18s, which was great and valuable experience.”

    “I want to challenge myself by becoming a coach. Ultimately, I want to manage a team. I know the steps to get there and I want to get there.”

    Jones began his career at Blackburn before ยูฟ่าเบท moving to Old Trafford, where he won the Premier League, FA Cup, Europa League and Community Shield with United, while also earning 27 caps for England.