After spending eight seasons in the first team at Elland Road, Phillips helped Leeds secure Premier League survival a year after winning the Championship title. Phillips was sidelined from September and, by the time he returned in November, domestic football was coming to a halt ahead of the World Cup in Qatar. After making just two substitute appearances for England at the World Cup, Phillips returned in December to find himself out of City's squad for their first game back against Liverpool. Guardiola's side lost only three of their final 22 Premier League matches as they secured a fifth title in six years. In 2024, Phillips, then on loan at Ipswich Town, said Guardiola's comments about his weight had left him feeling "frustrated".