Phillips: A Perfect Ending

Capped eight times by England, Phillips has carved himself a reputation as one of the country’s most feared goal scorers – finding the net 287 times for nine clubs since bursting onto the scene with Watford. 

Having previously worked with City boss Nigel Pearson at West Bromwich Albion, Phillips linked up with his former boss at King Power Stadium in January and wasted no time in playing his part in the Club’s promotion to the Premier League – Phillips’ fifth in total. 

“To be honest I’ve been thinking about it for a while,” Phillips revealed to LCFC.com. “I thought hard and long last season about whether I was going to do it after the play-off game and promotion [with Crystal Palace last season]. 

“But then I got another crack at the Premier League and came to Leicester to help them gain promotion, so I thought this was the right time. 

“I turn 41 in the summer and training every day is getting harder and harder with all the aches and pains. I just feel that it’s probably the right time to pursue other things in my life now and put the football to bed. It’s been a long innings, but an enjoyable one. It’s just the right time.” 

Phillips’ impact for the Foxes this season was instant – his dummy setting up David Nugent for a late winning goal at Leeds United on debut. 

The former European Golden Boot winner then grabbed his first goal in City blue away to Bournemouth, setting a new Club record of nine straight league wins and becoming Leicester’s oldest-ever goal scorer in the process. 

A typically clinical strike against former employers Blackpool followed as he helped the Foxes clinch a long-awaited return to the top-flight, and for Phillips, collecting his winners’ medal on Saturday will be a fitting finale. 

“For me it’s the perfect ending and I’m looking forward to a nice break at the end of the season now. 

“If I was being honest, when I joined in January I kind of had the feeling that if we were to go up, then it would be the perfect way for me to end my career. 

“My whole time here has been fantastic. When I made it clear I was leaving Palace in January, there was no other place I wanted to come but Leicester. I have great respect for Nigel Pearson and Shakey (Craig Shakespeare), and they’ve been brilliant for the Club and for me. Hopefully going forward that will remain the same. 

“The gaffer gave me plenty of game time towards the end of games. I made a contribution at Leeds in my opening game and then the winner at Bournemouth. Everyone has been amazing and it has been a pleasure to be in the same team as these players. 

“Ex-players always say that you don’t really appreciate what you have achieved until you have retired, and I’ve only just now been able to sit down and have a good think about it. I am really proud and I’ve enjoyed every minute of my career.”