Former England and Everton defender Phil Jagielka opens up on Goodison Park exit after announcing retirement
Phil Jagielka has opened up on his “disappointing and frustrating” departure from Everton after announcing his retirement.
The long-serving defender spent 12 years at Goodison Park prior to his departure as a free agent in 2019.
Jagielka confirmed in an interview with Sky Sports News on Tuesday (28 November, 12:39) that he has called time on his career at the age of 41.
Asked about his time at Everton, Jagielka said: “I scored the winning pen to take us to Wembley, but that was tarnished as my knee let me down.
“It was a great moment tinged with sadness. But the club itself means a hell of a lot to me.
“Now I’ve retired it’s nice that I can go back there not as a player to enjoy things more than I would have done as a player.
“I didn’t want to leave. Even the way I left was disappointing and frustrating, to be honest, because I didn’t know what was going on.
“I got five or 10 minutes of the final home game, so obviously I knew my time was up, but none of my family were there.”
Proper send-off
Jagielka was a fine servant for Everton, racking up just short of 400 appearances for the club in all competitions.
In the 11 seasons between 2007-08 and 2017-18, he made 30 or more Premier League appearances six times, and 20 or more in a further four.
The former England international was as reliable as they come, and it was a great shame that he did not get a proper send-off in the end.
Jagielka was not informed officially that he would not be kept on at Goodison Park until the summer of 2019, a few weeks after the season ended.
It is incredible to think that he intended to play on at the age of 41 this season, but no clubs were willing to offer him a contract.
Now that he has retired – from playing, at least – he is more than welcome on the Gwladys Street Stand to reminisce about his time at Goodison.
Maybe that way he can get a proper send-off from supporters.
In other Everton news, a journalist has suggested a manager’s job could be on the line when the Toffees face Nottingham Forest next weekend.