Former Manchester United defender left Blackburn Rovers as a coach at the end of the season, but he has quickly returned to work by accepting a role to remain in the Championship at Sheffield United.
Being a young coach is difficult, but Phil Jones clearly has an outstanding network, not just from his years of playing for Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United, but graduating from the PFA Business School as a model student.
It has not taken Jones long to find more work after a disappointing season at Blackburn Rovers, where he came through as a young defender before Sir Alex Ferguson brought him to Old Trafford.
Everyone at United will be hoping Jones has a successful career as a coach and one day gets a chance to become a manager. Here are five things you need to know about Jones and his new job.
Nicky Butt is furious Man Utd did not offer Phil Jones a long-term coaching role
Do Man Utd need to do MORE to get former players involved?
Phil Jones becomes first team coach at Sheffield United
Jones has been added to Sheffield United’s first team coaching staff for next season.
It’s a similar role to what Jones held at Blackburn, but it’s an opportunity to work in new surroundings as well as with a different manager.
Chris Wilder is a manager with a wealth of experience
Speaking of the manager, Chris Wilder has incredible experience that Jones can take on board if and when he is a head coach.
Wilder clearly rates Jones if he’s brought him on board at Sheffield United, too. He reacted to the news this week by saying (via Yorkshire Post): “Phil is a young coach who has played under some of the very best and is now forging his own pathway in coaching.
“He’s coming in tasked with helping throughout the team and he’s already gained some great experience coaching in the academy at Manchester United and with the first team at Blackburn last season. He is highly thought of at both clubs.”
Manchester United Academy will have Phil Jones in good standing at Sheffield United
Wilder acknowledges the role United’s academy would have played in Jones’ development as a budding coach.
Jones worked with the U14s and U18s at United.
At Blackburn, Jones would have dealt with footballers at the senior level. That is what he must do if he wants to jump to the next level in his coaching career.
Promotion push must be Sheffield United’s objective
After finishing 13th in the Championship last season – 13 points off the play-offs – Wilder, Jones and the rest of the coaching staff will set an objective to push for the play-offs.
It’s not a likely objective by any means because Sheffield United have a lot of work to do over the summer.
All we are saying is that Jones is going to be coaching a team that should be competitive in the Championship.
Man Utd’s Premier League fixtures for 2026/27 have now been CONFIRMED – What do you think?
Man Utd’s history of coaches with Sheffield United
Jones is not the first former United player to hold a coaching role at Sheffield United.
Former United captain Bryan Robson took charge of Sheffield United during the 2007/08 season in the Championship, though his tenure lasted less than 12 months.
United first-team coach Travis Binnion also spent years at Bramall Lane, moving from youth coach to U21 manager, and eventually overseeing the Sheffield United academy.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
