Retiring from football is hard enough, but leaving a WhatsApp group, that’s a whole other level.
Phil Jones, who decided to call time on his playing career in August 2024, had a hard time saying goodbye to the game, but also his teammates.
Having spent 12 years at Manchester United after a heralded move from Blackburn in 2011, Jones left the team in 2023, but only officially stepped away from playing a year later.
Calling it quits at the age of 32 will have made things difficult as injuries dogged his later career, but it was leaving the team WhatsApp group where the true heartbreak began.
“Believe it or not, it was quite emotional,” he said, as per The Sun. “I’d been on the WhatsApp for years and banter and you’re sending people pictures and all sorts.
“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 supporters.’ It was a tough moment actually.”
However, the reality then set in.
“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.
“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.”
Jones has since turned to punditry and is training for his UEFA coaching licence, but admitted that the transition wasn’t easy.
“I found myself getting really bitter towards the game and that’s not who I was,” he said.
“But I needed that time to reflect and come to terms with what happened and how it happened.
“I look back now and I’m in a great place.”
The Preston-born defender made headlines with a £16.5million switch to Old Trafford in 2011, a hefty fee at the time for a young centre back.
His first season saw Premier League heartbreak as Manchester City won their first title on the final day, beating their neighbours thanks to the iconic Sergio Aguero goal against QPR.
However, United and Jones struck back the following season under Alex Ferguson, winning the title before the legendary Scot retired.
Jones would add an FA Cup, two Community Shields and a Europa League crown in the following seasons, but from the 2019/20 season onwards he failed to make more than ten appearances in a season.
