Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones has opened up about the heart-wrenching moment he realized his football career had come to an end. The 32-year-old, who recently announced his retirement after more than two years since his last appearance, detailed the struggles he faced during his final season at United, where injuries limited him to just 13 matches over the last four years.

On The High Performance Podcast, Jones recalled his excitement when Erik ten Hag took over as manager, thinking it would be a fresh start. “I was back on the grass, wearing my kit and boots again,” he said. However, as he participated in training drills, he began to feel persistent discomfort in his knee. “I thought it would eventually go away,” he reflected, but that wasn’t the case.

During one drill, he found himself unable to make a simple pass with his right foot, which left him feeling defeated. “I just wanted the world to swallow me up,” he admitted. After managing to complete the session using only his left foot, he attempted a turn and felt a sharp pain. “I knew I couldn’t carry on,” he said, revealing that during a drinks break, he told the physio, “This is my last training session.” That moment proved to be the final chapter of his playing career.

Jones joined United from Blackburn in 2011 for £16.5 million and was once touted by Sir Alex Ferguson as a future club great due to his versatile skill set. Over his 12 years at Old Trafford, he secured numerous trophies, including the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, and Europa League.

Since retiring, Jones has expressed a strong desire to transition into coaching, having already completed his coaching badges. “My career finished shorter than I would have liked,” he noted. “I’m glass half full. I want to challenge myself in coaching and ultimately lead a team. I am determined to get there.”

Currently, Jones serves as an academy coach at Manchester United’s Carrington training ground and has also ventured into punditry, receiving positive feedback for his analysis during Sky Sports’ coverage of United’s recent draw with Crystal Palace.