Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones has revealed that his team-mates blanked his "emotional" goodbye before he left the dressing room group chat in 2023. Two years ago, Jones ended his injury-stricken 12 years as a United player upon the expiry of his contract before announcing his retirement from football.
Now 33, the ex-England international is pursuing a career in coaching after leaving Old Trafford, where he lifted a Premier League, FA Cup, Europa League and two Community Shields. Jones has recalled the moment he removed himself from the team's WhatsApp chat as one of the hardest parts about departing the club. He told Mirror Sport: "Believe it or not, it was quite an emotional, the most simple thing.
"You've been on the WhatsApp for years and banter, and you're sending people pictures and all sorts. You press guys would've a field day!
"I remember sitting in the bedroom going like: 'Lads, it's been a pleasure and blah, blah, blah.
"'And some have played with a lot, some have only just met, but it's been an absolute pleasure. I wish you all the best, and I'll be your biggest supporter.'
"And yeah, it was a tough moment, actually. Then you take yourself off. I mean, it's 'Phil Jones has left'. You've got to give yourself ten minutes after you do it just to see the responses."
However, the former United No. 4 revealed that he didn't receive a single response to his message before exiting the chat.
"Do you know what? I gave it a minute, and there was no response to that," Jones continued.
"'God, God, 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'll never see them again. I'll never speak to them."
Jones's relationship with football soured after retirement, and he admits he couldn't help but initially watch players fail while thinking he would do a better job.
He added: "It was tough. I mean, I couldn't watch a game of football. I've never been that guy.
"I consider myself to be very humble, and I've not changed since I was a kid. But to watch a game of football straight after, I would look at games and think: 'I can do that. I'm better than that.'
"And I found myself getting really bitter towards the game, and that's not who I was, but I needed that time to reflect and come to terms with what happened and how it happened.
"But yeah, I look back with now; I'm in a great place. I know exactly what I want to do, where I want to be."