'I always knew' - Phil Jones explains how key Sheffield United figure prepared him for Bramall Lane switch
Sheffield United have added Phil Jones to their coaching staff ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Phil Jones has credited assistant manager Micky Collins with giving him an insight into what life is like at Sheffield United following his arrival at Bramall Lane.
Jones was unveiled as a new member of manager Chris Wilder’s backroom team at Bramall Lane on Wednesday amid a coaching reshuffle that has taken place in S2 ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
United have overseen a restructure that has seen Wilder’s long-time assistant Alan Knill and first-team coach Guilherme Ramos leave the club. Collins has stepped up to replace Knill as assistant boss, marking another step in his personal development, while Jones has arrived to become a first-team coach.
The former Manchester United man has joined the Blades following the end of a short stint at Blackburn Rovers. A graduate of Rovers’ academy, Jones, 34, returned to Ewood Park in February to serve under former Rovers head coach Michael O’Neill.
Following his retirement from his playing career in August 2024, Jones had ambitions of going into coaching, first working in the Manchester United academy. Studying for his UEFA Pro Licence simultaneously, Jones secured his qualification alongside Collins, meaning he is a familiar face for United’s newest recruit.
And he has revealed that conversations he had with Collins offered him great insight into United as a club.
“I know Micky and he is a great lad,” Jones told United’s in-house media. “He was on my Pro Licence (course), so I got to know Micky over the last couple of years.
“He spoke really well, spoke really highly of the club, so I always knew in the back of my mind what sort of club it was like behind the scenes. Yes, he is a great lad.”
United will step up their preparations for the 2026/27 Championship campaign later this month when the players start to return to the club’s Shirecliffe training base. Their pre-season campaign will begin with a friendly against Halifax Town at The Shay on July 4.
Jones continued: “Yes, I’m looking forward to getting back, looking forward to seeing the players. It'll be a busy pre-season; I think there are five or six games, some really good games coming up.
“Ultimately, we need to be ready for the start of the season where we need to make an impact from day one.”