Phil Jones Reflects On Leaving Manchester United WhatsApp Group: ‘It Was Quite Emotional’
Phil Jones later opened up on how it was tough for him to leave his teammates with whom he shared the locker room for several years.
English full-back Phil Jones has revealed how difficult it was for him to say goodbye to his Manchester United teammates after exiting the club two years ago. Nearly a year after moving away from Old Trafford, the defender stepped away from the sport.
While calling it quits at 32 wasn’t easy for Jones, the real heartbreak occurred when he had to leave his former club’s WhatsApp group.
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“Believe it or not, it was quite emotional," Jones said, as per The Sun. “I’d been on the WhatsApp [group] for years and banter and you’re sending people pictures and all sorts," he added.
Phil Jones later opened up on how it was tough for him to leave his teammates with whom he shared the locker room for several years.
“I remember sitting in the bedroom going like, ‘Lads, it’s been a pleasure and blah blah blah. Some I’ve played with a lot, some I’ve only just met, but it’s been an absolute pleasure. I wish you all the best and I’ll be your biggest supporter.’ It was a tough moment actually," he said.
The goodbye text, however, didn’t quite go as Phil Jones had planned. He claimed the reality had set in when didn’t see a single response from his clubmates.
“Do you know what I gave it a minute and there was no response," he said. “I was like ‘gone, gone, gone, I’m gone!’ No-one cares. But that’s it. It’s football," Jones added.
The ex-Manchester United defender later claimed he would never speak to his teammates despite spending six years with some players. “Things move so quickly and people come in. I played with people for six years. I will never see them again. I’ll never speak to them again," he concluded.
Phil Jones arrived at Manchester United in 2011 after heralding a move from Blackburn Rovers. The English defender spent 12 years with the Red Devils, making 229 appearances. He scored six times and provided eight assists before leaving the team in 2023. He eventually called time on his playing career in August 2024.
Jones won five trophies at Old Trafford including the 2012/13 Premier League, the 2016 FA Cup and the 2015 Europa League. Since retiring, the English full-back has turned to punditry. He is currently training for his UEFA coaching license.
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