Exclusive: David Prutton tips Phil Jagielka for EFL job - key hurdle is to overcome though | OneFootball

David Prutton believes that Jagielka has all the tools to make it as a coach after his 2023 retirement

Former Premier League midfielder and current Sky Sports pundit David Prutton believes that ex-Sheffield United, Everton and England international defender Phil Jagielka could become a good coach or manager in the future, following his appearance on the EFL's 'Unfiltered' podcast.

Jagielka enjoyed a stellar 23-year career as a professional in English football, and he became a hero to supporters of both the Blades and the Toffees for his long stints at each club, while also making 40 appearances for his country across an eight-year span.

The Manchester-born centre-back also turned out for Derby County and Stoke City later on in his career, then eventually retired from the game in November 2023 at 41-years-old with over 800 combined games played professionally at both club and international level.

David Prutton offers 'enthusiastic' Phil Jagielka coaching verdict

Jagielka is yet to take up a coaching role following the end of his career, and has instead taken the punditry route with appearances on Amazon Prime Video's Premier League coverage and the Premier League's official broadcasts.

He has certainly made an effort to stay in the public eye in the immediate aftermath of his retirement by taking part in charity events, such as the Icons Series' golf tournament, and going on podcasts like Ben Foster's 'Fozcast' and EFL's 'Unfiltered' with professional-turned-broadcaster and host Prutton.

Following his appearance on the show, Sky Sports presenter and pundit Prutton believes that Jagielka has all the tools to become a great coach in the near future, if it something that he wishes to pursue, due to his extensive experience in the game and down-to-earth nature.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Prutton said: "Jags (Phil Jagielka) on the podcast (was) a wonderful guest. I could see him as a wonderful coach (in the EFL).

"Real bright, enthusiastic presence, charismatic, charming, funny, hard-working, with a career that absolutely speaks for itself.

"He would command respect wherever he went, whether he was going in as a coach or a number two, or however coaching staffs are put together now.

"I’d be very intrigued. He would certainly be someone that I wouldn't mind spending a few hours a day with in the proverbial footballing trenches over the course of a season.

"He’s a very buoyant presence. I think you got that in the podcast, just good company.

"In the course of the football season you need good company and good people, and he is certainly both of those."

Jagielka is undecided over his future as a coach right now

Jagielka is clearly keeping himself busy after retirement, and he also has his own son Zac's potential career to nurture in the coming years, with the 17-year-old currently a part of Hull City and Wales' under-18 squads respectively.

Upon his second Sheffield United exit in 2021, the ex-England man revealed that he would like to return to Bramall Lane in some sort of coaching capacity one day, and did not rule out doing his badges in the future.

Nearly four years on and now retired, Jagielka is still seemingly not in any rush to become a part of the dugout, but has again insisted that he is open to pursuing that side of the game at some point if it interests him.

"It's been just over a year-and-a-half since I stopped playing. I don't know. The media thing is absolutely fine, but it's difficult," he told Prutton on the EFL 'Unfiltered' podcast.

"Coaching...I haven't got any badges. I made an excuse up, as long as I played I didn't want to get any badges! That must be why I played until I was 40. I just didn't want to go and do the homework.

"I don't know, I think I'll just sit back and see. I've got other things to keep me busy. There are times on a weekend where you do sit there and wish you were still going at it, then you try and run up the stairs and realise maybe that's not the best thing!"

Jagielka would no doubt make a good coach if he wanted to go into that side of the game in the years to come. He would certainly not be short of former clubs that would take him on in some capacity, given his hero status at Sheffield United and Everton in particular.

It remains to be seen whether he will choose to get his badges at some point, but he is clearly settled as it stands and in little rush to change his career path again anytime soon.