logo
Manchester United legend linked to Wrexham hangs up boots

Manchester United legend linked to Wrexham hangs up boots

Leader Live2 days ago
The 37-year-old, who won the Champions League, three Premier League titles, the FA Cup and two League Cups during his two stints at Old Trafford, has been appointed head of loans and pathways.
He was linked with another of clubs over summer, including Wrexham who will compete in the Championship next season after clinching an historic third successive promotion.
Evans' role will see him work closely with director of football Jason Wilcox and the director of academy to ease developing talent into the first team.
He told the club's official website: '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.'
Evans, who won 107 caps for Northern Ireland and was awarded an MBE for his services to football in 2023, emerged from United's academy to make 241 senior appearances for the club.
He also had stints at West Brom and Leicester, with whom he tasted FA Cup success for the second time in 2021, and significantly had two loan spells at Sunderland under former Red Devils skipper Roy Keane early in a career which amounted to 536 games.
His playing days effectively came to an end as last season drew to a close and, while he is close to completing his UEFA A licence, he insisted earlier this summer that he was in no rush to make a decision over his future.
However now his contract at Old Trafford has formally expired, he is ready to launch the latest phase of his illustrious career.
Welcoming Evans' appointment, Wilcox said: '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.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Truly awful': rival fans united in grief at Anfield after death of Diogo Jota
‘Truly awful': rival fans united in grief at Anfield after death of Diogo Jota

The Guardian

time12 minutes ago

  • The Guardian

‘Truly awful': rival fans united in grief at Anfield after death of Diogo Jota

Outside Anfield, where Diogo Jota's name recently soared from the stands, fans stood in a sombre, stricken silence. Barely five weeks ago they had watched their Portuguese hero lift the Premier League trophy, singing and dancing with his soon-to-be wife, their two sons, four and two, and their six-month-old daughter. Now, in a tragedy that puts the fleeting glories of football into shocking perspective, fans were laying floral tributes. 'It's just devastating,' said Gary Mann, 48, a season ticket holder, as he struggled to contain his emotions. 'He's a 28-year-old kid. He just always came across as a really nice human being – and that's the worst part of it. It's tremendously sad for his family.' Men, women and children were in tears as they hung scarves from trees and laid football shirts alongside an ever-growing bank of flowers outside Liverpool's main stand in the hours after Jota's death was announced on Thursday morning. Balloons bearing the number 20 – Jota's shirt number – were among the tributes, with several fans asking for the club to retire the number in his memory. 'He was an honorary scouser,' said Elliot Francis, 19, wearing his Liverpool jersey with Jota's autograph on the back, signed by the Kop favourite after one of the many home games when he would stop and talk to supporters. Jota's death – in a car crash in Spain alongside his 26-year-old brother, André Silva – is one of those shocking events that cuts through club rivalry and transcends football. Everton shirts were among those laid alongside those of Liverpool, Leeds United, Glasgow Rangers, Crystal Palace and other clubs opposite Anfield's Hillsborough memorial, dedicated to the 97 killed in the 1989 stadium disaster. 'My stomach turned this morning when I heard the news,' said Liza, 47, who would be raising eyebrows by wearing her Everton shirt at Anfield on any other day. 'It's not about that today. It's horrible for Liverpool fans and for the city. It's just absolutely heartbreaking.' In just the past six weeks, Jota had lifted the Premier League title with Liverpool and the Uefa Nations League trophy with Portugal. Two months ago he scored the winner in a tense home derby against Everton – his final goal. But it was the personal tragedy, rather than the onfield heroics, that left fans dumbstruck on Thursday. Jota married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, only 11 days ago, posting a video of their wedding on social media on Wednesday, along with the caption: 'A day we will never forget.' 'He had only just got married and had kids. Now his wife's a widow. It's truly awful,' said Anthony Ferns, 43. 'I live 10 minutes away and rushed over when I heard the news. I still can't believe it. It's like something from a disaster movie.' After laying down a Leeds United shirt, Maz Ferguson said she last saw Jota scoring two goals at Anfield against her club. 'But he was a player that you liked,' she said. 'He's gone out at the height of his career but football's irrelevant. He's got a wife and three young children, a mum and a dad who've just lost two sons.' Ferguson, 34, a lifelong Leeds fan, added: 'If any club has been through everything it's this club but Liverpool fans will come together for Diogo's family. This club knows how to put its arms around people.' Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister, said she was 'absolutely devastated' for Jota's family after she laid a large red-and-white bouquet alongside the tributes. 'It's absolutely heartbreaking. It just shows how life events can change really quickly. I'm absolutely devastated for his wife, his children and his family. I can't imagine what they're going through at the moment. My son is 28 and it's just really shocking.' Denise Cook, a season ticket holder for 41 years, had written a line from Jota's famous chant – 'And his name is Diogo' – on her floral tribute. 'It will go down as one of the tragic days like Hillsborough,' she said. 'He just gave everything. He never gave up, he was always chasing the ball. He was very integral. He was just always there and always trying. At the time I thought it was one of the best signings we'd made.' Amber McKendry, 30, and her partner, Roger McBurney, 34, both Liverpool fans, had flown from their home in Belfast with their three young children for a long-planned tour of the Anfield Museum when the news broke on Thursday morning. They had to break the news to Freddie, seven, Max, five, and Farrah, four, all wearing their Liverpool shirts at the stadium. 'They're still digesting it,' said McKendry. 'They haven't really dealt with much death in their life. They've all went a bit quiet. It's become a very different day for us all.'

Dan Evans swept aside as Novak Djokovic reaches 99 not out at Wimbledon
Dan Evans swept aside as Novak Djokovic reaches 99 not out at Wimbledon

Glasgow Times

time13 minutes ago

  • Glasgow Times

Dan Evans swept aside as Novak Djokovic reaches 99 not out at Wimbledon

Djokovic, the seven-time champion, is now just one short of a century of match wins in SW19 after a 6-3 6-2 6-0 win of ominous efficiency. Evans was tasked with being this year's plucky Brit to face the Serbian on Centre Court, reprising a role previously played by Jacob Fearnley, Jack Draper, Kyle Edmund and James Ward. Novak Djokovic cruises into his 19th #Wimbledon third round 🫡 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2025 It was by no means a flaky performance from the 35-year-old, but he still went the same way as all the others. 'I knew it was going to be a special atmosphere on the court today, a Brit in Britain is never easy to face,' said Djokovic. 'He's a good quality player that possesses a lot of talent. Sometimes you have these kind of days where everything goes your way.' Evans had won their only previous career meeting, in Monte Carlo four years ago. This time he was playing with house money, having arrived at Wimbledon as a wild card with a ranking now down at 154. But Djokovic quickly upped the ante, with Evans having to save nine break points in the first set before succumbing to the 10th to trail 5-3. It was a tough afternoon for Dan Evans (John Walton/PA) It was relentless from the 38-year-old, who held to love with an ace to clinch a first set in which he dropped just three points on his own serve. If that set was impressive, the second was almost impeccable. Djokovic hit 12 winners, made just one unforced error, won every point on his first serve and gave Evans only two on his second. Djokovic, who openly admits this year's Championships is his best chance of winning a record 25th grand slam title, would not take his foot off Evans' throat, completing victory in just an hour and 47 minutes.

Rangers goalkeeper signs new Ibrox contract extension
Rangers goalkeeper signs new Ibrox contract extension

The Herald Scotland

time16 minutes ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Rangers goalkeeper signs new Ibrox contract extension

Wright, 26, first joined Rangers in 2016 but is yet to make an appearance for the first team. 💙 We can today confirm that Kieran Wright has signed a one-year contract extension with the club. — Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) July 3, 2025 He did feature on the bench in the Europa League and Champions League qualifying for the club last season. Wright spent the second half of last season on loan at Airdrieonians, where he helped the club preserve their Championship status. The shot-stopper is a former Scotland under-21 international and also counts Gala Fairydean Rovers, Albion Rovers, Raith Rovers, Alloa, Partick Thistle, Dumbarton and Livingston in his former loan clubs. Read more: A club statement confirmed: "Rangers can today confirm that Kieran Wright has signed a one-year contract extension with the club. "The goalkeeper, who has been with the Light Blues since 2016, will continue his stay in Glasgow into a 10th year ahead of the start of the new campaign. "He spent the second half of last season on loan at Airdrieonians in the Scottish Championship, helping the club preserve their second-tier status by overcoming Cove Rangers 2-1 in the relegation play-off final back in May, making 24 appearances for the side in total."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store