Ex-Leeds United and Wolves star retires - Kalvin Phillips reacts | OneFootball

Kalvin Phillips was among those to wish Barry Douglas well after the former Leeds United and Wolves man announced his retirement from football.

When it comes to naming the best Championship teams in the modern era, many fans will suggest Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United outfit and Nuno Espírito Santo’s Wolves side.

Of course, it’s all down to personal opinion, but there’s no denying both were outstanding at this level, and they both went on to win the league, with the Whites claiming the title in 2019/20, with Wanderers finishing top in 2017/18.

And, one man who featured for Bielsa and Nuno was Barry Douglas, with Wolves signing the Scotsman from Konyaspor in the summer of 2017.

Barry Douglas announces his retirement, with former Leeds and Wolves players reacting

Having come through the ranks at Queens Park in his home country, Douglas secured a move to Dundee United, where he really began to make a name for himself.

His form in the Scottish top flight prompted Lech Poznan to sign the left-back, and he won a league and cup with the Polish side before joining Konyaspor, where he once again tasted success by lifting the Turkish Cup.

However, it was with Wolves that Douglas really stood out to English fans, as he scored five goals and registered 14 assists from wing-back in Nuno’s dominant side.

The Portuguese coach ruthlessly got rid of Douglas following Wolves’ promotion, but he would secure another Championship title with Leeds during his second season at the club, although he didn’t play as often as he had at Molineux.

Douglas was loaned to Blackburn after Leeds had won promotion, and he returned to Lech Poznan before spending last season with St. Johnstone.

Now, the once-capped Scotland international has announced his retirement from the game at 36, and the news was met with plenty of responses from former teammates.

Conor Coady, Patrick Bamford and Mateusz Klick were among those to wish Douglas well, whilst Kalvin Phillips also sent a message on Instagram to the player he shared a dressing room with at Elland Road.

“It has been a pleasure my friend, some amazing memories. What a guy. Time to spend some quality time with your beautiful family mate! Love you Basher!”

Barry Douglas will be appreciated by his former clubs, including Leeds and Wolves

Nuno’s appointment at Molineux was the beginning of the best time in the modern era for Wolves fans, so that 2017/18 team are very fondly remembered, as they got the ball rolling in terms of promotion, and Douglas was an integral part of the XI.

He produced so much quality with his left-foot, and the wing-back role really allowed him to show his attacking talent.

Many Wolves fans have sympathy for Douglas for the way he was treated after promotion, even if the decision can be justified in the way the club kicked on, but he is still loved in the Black Country.

Whilst he didn’t make the same impact at Leeds, it’s a similar story in terms of the impact of the Bielsa squad. The Yorkshire side had been out of the top flight since 2004, and there had been plenty of low points over that period. So, the group that took Leeds back to the Premier League would always be appreciated, and Douglas played his part.

As mentioned, he also made some huge contributions in Poland and Turkey, as well as representing his country.

Therefore, he has had a great career, and the messages to Douglas from former teammates show that he was a well-liked figure at the clubs he played for.