Chris Wilder told why Phil Jones would be a 'smart' addition to his Sheffield United coaching team
Sheffield United are planning to freshen up Chris Wilder’s coaching team this summer - and Phil Jones is an individual on their radar.
Former Sheffield United midfielder Don Hutchison believes Phil Jones would be a “smart” addition to Chris Wilder’s coaching team amid reports linking him with a switch to Bramall Lane.
It was reported by journalist Alan Nixon on Sunday that United ‘have their sights’ on the former Manchester United and England defender to strengthen Wilder’s backroom team this summer.
Wilder’s long-time assistant Alan Knill is expected to leave Bramall Lane as part of COH Sports’ decision to look ahead to the future. Knill is understood to have been shocked by the news when he was informed of the decision last week.
With a shake-up planned, Blackburn Rovers first-team coach Jones is believed to be on United’s radar. He returned to Rovers in February to work alongside head coach Michael O’Neill, who has since left the Lancashire outfit.
Jones said his goodbyes to Blackburn in a social media post on Wednesday night, with Tony Mowbray having been made new Rovers manager on Friday.
However, amid the prospect of him crossing the Pennines and joining forces with Wilder at Bramall Lane, former United man Hutchison, who scored five goals in 71 appearances for the club between 1996 and 1998, believes he would be a good addition to the Blades’ coaching staff, suggesting he would be a good fit for the younger members of the squad.
“It’s an interesting one for Phil, who obviously looks like someone who wants to get into management,” Hutchison told Spreadex Sports. “To have someone of his experience in the dressing room would be amazing for the young players.
“If you’re Chris Wilder, it would be a really smart move to bring in someone with Phil’s profile because he will understand the younger players and relate to him, because it’s not that long ago since he was playing at the highest level.
“Phil is a very intelligent guy, very passionate, he’s doing all his necessary qualification to be a manager and he’s a great communicator.”
Jones retired from his playing career almost two years ago, hanging up his boots in August 2024 at the age of just 32. He has since worked in coaching at Manchester United’s academy before returning to Blackburn earlier this year - 15 years after he joined the Red Devils.