Veteran Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has announced his retirement from professional football, with the 37-year-old becoming **Manchester United**’s Head of Loans and Pathways from next season.
In a statement given to the club’s website, Evans took the opportunity to reflect on his illustrious playing career whilst also looking forward to starting his new job.
“I want to officially announce my retirement from my playing career, not with sadness, but with pride, gratitude and excitement for the next chapter ahead.
”I’ll be forever indebted to the managers, coaches, staff and, of course, my team-mates, that I have had the privilege of working alongside throughout my 20 years in professional football.
“My biggest and most heartfelt thanks must go to the fans who have supported me during every step of the journey. It’s been an honour to be on the pitch and feel your passion home and away; I will be eternally grateful for every ounce of support.
“I am looking forward to working with the next generation of talented players to support them to reach their potential.
*“Having had experience of loans myself, I know the crucial role that they can play within a player’s development. I am excited to help further develop the pathway to our first team and continue the legacy of young players thriving at Manchester United.”*
A Lookback on Evans’ Illustrious Career
Evans started his career by coming through the Manchester United youth system, and after loan spells at Royal Antwerp and Sunderland he established himself as a regular at Old Trafford.
He made appearances in his first spell at the club and lifted seven trophies, including three Premier League titles and a Champions League, before he departed for West Brom in 2015.
Evans quickly became a regular and a fans' favourite at The Hawthorns, and he scored five goals over 96 appearances and even took over the captaincy ahead of the 2017/18 season as he became a leader of their squad.
Unfortunately for the Baggies, that campaign ended in relegation, and the setback saw Evans depart for Midlands rivals Leicester City at the end of the season.
Leicester enjoyed better fortunes with Evans in defence, as the Foxes qualified for European football in each of the Northern Irishman’s first two seasons at the club.
The pinnacle of his time at the King Power Stadium undoubtedly occurred when he started in the 2021 FA Cup final, where Leicester defeated Chelsea 1-0 to lift that trophy for the first time in their history.
However, Evans was injured in that success, and that blow kept him out of action at the start of the next season.
Whilst he did recover, he never permanently regained his place at the heart of the defence, and Leicester were ultimately relegated to the Championship at the end of the 2022/23 season.
Evans then returned to Manchester United, where he played a crucial role in the 2023/24 season, making 30 appearances in all competitions as Manchester United lifted the FA Cup for the first time in eight years to qualify for the Europa League.
Whilst his impact was less significant in his final season at Old Trafford, he still made 13 appearances, and he scored his final goal for the club in United’s enthralling 4-3 defeat to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup quarterfinal.
Evans is also a legend on the international stage, as after making his debut in a memorable 3-2 victory over Spain in 2006, he won 107 caps for Northern Irelandand scored 6 goals for his country.
These caps included playing every game at Euro 2016, as Northern Ireland impressively secured their place in the knockouts at their first ever European Championships.
Evans ends his career as a legend of the game, and he hangs up his boots with a final tally of 536 appearances across a 20-year-long career.
What will his new role entail?
With Evans now Head of Loans and Pathways at Old Trafford, his job will see him ensure that **Manchester United**’s young players get the moves that will best aid their development.
Indeed, Manchester United’s director of football Jason Wilcox was happy to have made the appointment of Evans, saying;
“Having just finished his exceptional playing career, Jonny is the perfect role model for our young players.
"Jonny’s knowledge of what it takes to succeed at Manchester United will be of great benefit to each of them as we continue to develop world-class talent capable of performing in our first team.”
With a whole host of clubs both within the EFL and around the world desperate to sign Manchester United’s talented youngsters on loan, Evans will play a crucial role in ensuring that their development is optimal for getting them ready to succeed in the first team.
If he is successful, then Evans may inspire Manchester United to develop a set of young players similar to their 'Class of 92' generation, which would aid them in their bid to improve on their disappointing 15th-place finish in the Premier League last season.