Former United star takes huge step towards new career which could land him a role even higher than manager – report

Phil Jones had a hard time of it during his long career at Manchester United and finally retired from the game last year aged just 32.

The player arrived at Old Trafford with a huge reputation and picking him up from Blackburn Rovers was seen as a major coup for Sir Alex Ferguson.

But Jones ultimately couldn’t live up to expectations and his playing career dwindled away thanks to injury battles and poor form. Nevertheless he is the proud owner of, amongst other honours, a Premier League winners medal.

Enjoying his retirement

Jones was released by United at the end of his contract in the summer of 2023, and formally announced his retirement from playing football a year later.

After being let go by the Red Devils, Jones remained at Carrington to begin his coaching career. He is working towards completing his UEFA Pro Licence.

At the same time as taking his first steps into coaching, the Englishman was also undertaking a Diploma in Sport Directorship with the PFA Business School.

He has now graduated from this course, and as per talkSPORT was presented with his diploma yesterday.

Diploma in Sport Directorship

Jones received his diploma at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium alongside other members of the cohort including Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa and former Manchester City player Ilkay Gundogan.

The former United man said: “It’s a proud moment for me to graduate today. This is something I decided I wanted to do when I retired.

“I’ve really enjoyed it, it’s been a good networking opportunity as well as an educational one, and I’m really excited about what doors it opens up in the future.”

He added: “When I finished playing, I asked myself: ‘Well, what do I do now?’. I like the coaching side of the game, and I’m still really ambitious about that, but I needed something else as well. This gave me a focus which is what I needed at the time.

“I reached out to the PFA when I heard about the course and it’s something that I was passionate about doing; something I could get my teeth into. The technical aspects of the sporting directorship role I really admire, and maybe in the future it’s a role that I’d like to fill.”

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