Jonny Evans Hangs Up His Boots and Joins Manchester United in New Role

Jonny Evans has been appointed as the head of loans and pathways at Manchester United following his retirement from professional football.

The 37-year-old made a total of 241 appearances for United, progressing through their academy and clinching three Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, a Club World Cup, an FA Cup, and two League Cups during his tenure. As confirmed on the club’s official website, Evans will oversee a new position focused on nurturing young talent for the first team.

Reflecting on his retirement, Evans expressed pride in having competed at the highest level for many years and shared his enthusiasm for embarking on this new chapter with the Red Devils.

“I want to formally announce my retirement from playing, not with sadness, but with pride, gratitude, and excitement for what lies ahead. I will always be thankful to the managers, coaches, staff, and especially my teammates, who I’ve had the honour of working alongside throughout my two decades in professional football.

“My deepest gratitude goes to the fans who have supported me at every turn during this journey. It has been a privilege to play in front of you and to feel your immense passion, both at home and away; I will forever appreciate every bit of support I received.

“I’m eager to work with the next generation of talented players and assist them in reaching their fullest potential. Having experienced loans myself, I understand how vital they can be in a player’s development. I’m enthusiastic about enhancing the pathway to our first team and continuing the tradition of young players flourishing at Manchester United.”

Director of football Jason Wilcox lauded Evans and expressed his hope that he will serve as an exemplar for some of the finest young talents set to pass through the club’s academy in the coming years.

“Jonny is the ideal role model for our younger players.

“His understanding of what it takes to achieve success at Manchester United will greatly benefit them as we strive to develop world-class talent ready to perform at the first-team level.”

Evans has earned 107 caps for Northern Ireland and was awarded an MBE in 2023 for his contributions to football. Many players will undoubtedly seek his guidance and motivation as they move forward, making this a savvy appointment for United as they look to leverage his extensive experience and insight into the game.