Champions League trophies have thus far evaded Manchester City, but Jesse Marsch’s first text message to Kalvin Phillips prophecised the end of that wait. The Leeds United head coach was so genuinely happy for the midfielder’s move his first thought was for the trophies he will now go on to lift.
The Whites confirmed the England international’s exit on Monday with the champions taking Phillips to Etihad Stadium. It is a move which smarts for many in the United fanbase because of his Leeds roots and importance on the field.
With two years left on his contract, this was the summer Phillips had to either protect his value with a new contract or, as he has done, move on for a sizeable fee. Marsch is not in the business of welcoming the loss of his best players, but his relationship with the 26-year-old meant he could only be happy for his former colleague.
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“First with Kalvin: man, what a great guy,” he said. “I enjoyed him so much, having him here. We talked a lot about what it would be like if he stayed and how to help him continue to be the best player he could be.”
He added: “I feel like it’s not easy to say goodbye because he’s so good, but if you love people you want the best for them, in their life and in their career. Leeds fans should be really proud of everything he’s meant to the club and we should all be fans of him and want to see him [succeed].
“The first text I sent to him was ‘I can’t wait to see you lift the Champions League trophy.’ That’s how I feel about Kalvin and I wish nothing but the best for him.”
Marsch lifted the lid on the final stages of the transfer and how it became clear to him after the win at Brentford this might be how the summer ends for Phillips. There was also some pushback on the notion the American’s system did not suit the England man.
“I knew, when the season was over, based on some conversations he and I had, once this opportunity came, it was one he had to take,” he said. “None of us wanted to see him go because we value him so much as a person and as a player.
“Even when I heard things like ‘well he doesn’t fit in my system,’ I totally disagree with that. He’s a good player, he can play in any system because he has so much quality, but once it got more and more serious, all I wanted was the best for him.”
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