PHIL JONES graduated from the PFA Business School on Tuesday.
The former Manchester United star, 33, picked up his Diploma in Sport Directorship at a ceremony at Arsenal‘s Emirates Stadium.
PFAPhil Jones attended his graduation ceremony at Emirates Stadium[/caption]
GettyJones, 33, was forced to retire from playing in 2024[/caption]
Jones‘ playing career was cruelly cut short due to persistent knee injuries.
The centre-back retired in 2024 having played in just five games in four years.
After hanging up his boots, Jones completed his course with the Professional Footballers’ Association.
Upon receiving his diploma, the Lancashire lad 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.
“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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Yoane Wissa and Ilkay Gundogan were among the other Premier League stars to graduate this year.
Even prior to officially hanging up his boots, Jones began looking towards the future.
The injury-plagued defender has worked with United’s Under-18s since the 2023-24 season.
In addition to his PFA diploma, Jones has also been studying towards his Uefa Pro License.
On staying busy post retirement, Jones said earlier this year: “You find yourself at home and the missus is looking at you thinking: ‘Well, are you doing anything today?’ You’re so used to being active, being out of the house and travelling. It was difficult.
“Footballers are like robots these days, you’re off one coach, on another flight, off that flight, back into a game, training… I enjoyed the first few weeks out of it but then I got itchy feet.
“That’s why I went down the directors route, just to give me a different focus to football. But my bread and butter is on the grass and it’s what I really enjoy doing.”
‘READY FOR A CHALLENGE’
On his work with United’s Under-18s, Jones added: “It’s something they allow me to do and what I wanted to do, to broaden my horizon on the coaching side of things and see how they do things.
“I feel like I’m in a position now where I’m ready for a challenge.”
Jones has also engaged in punditry work since hanging up his boots.
The former Premier League title winner has appeared on Match of the Day.
While he has also worked for Sky Sports, recently covering United’s shock Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Grimsby.
He was also spotted at Wrexham last weekend.
GettyJones has worked with Man Utd’s Under-18s[/caption]
Sky SportsThe former defender has also done punditry work with Sky Sports and the BBC[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
