View source for Kevin Phillips (English footballer)

{{short description|English association football player}}
{{Distinguish|text=[[Kalvin Phillips]]}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name                = Kevin Phillips
| image               = Kevin Phillips 2014.jpg
| caption             = Phillips playing in [[Jody Craddock]]'s testimonial match, 2014
| fullname            = Kevin Mark Phillips<ref name=Hugman200506/>
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1973|7|25|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Hitchin]], [[Hertfordshire]], England
| currentclub         = [[AFC Fylde]] (head coach)
| height              = {{height|ft=5|in=7}}<ref name=BCFCprofile/>
| position            = [[Forward (association football)#Striker|Striker]]
| youthyears1         = 1985–1991 | youthclubs1  = [[Southampton F.C. Under-21s and Academy|Southampton]]
| years1  = 1991–1994 | clubs1  = [[Baldock Town F.C.|Baldock Town]]                 | caps1  =     | goals1  =
| years2  = 1994–1997 | clubs2  = [[Watford F.C.|Watford]]                           | caps2  = 59  | goals2  = 24
| years3  = 1997–2003 | clubs3  = [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]                   | caps3  = 208 | goals3  = 113
| years4  = 2003–2005 | clubs4  = [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]{{efn|name=SotonGoal}}| caps4  = 64  | goals4  = 22
| years5  = 2005–2006 | clubs5  = [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]                   | caps5  = 23  | goals5  = 4
| years6  = 2006–2008 | clubs6  = [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] | caps6  = 71  | goals6  = 38
| years7  = 2008–2011 | clubs7  = [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]           | caps7  = 69  | goals7  = 19
| years8  = 2011–2013 | clubs8  = [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]                       | caps8  = 56  | goals8  = 18
| years9  = 2013      | clubs9  = → [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] (loan)    | caps9  = 14  | goals9  = 6
| years10 = 2013–2014 | clubs10 = [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]             | caps10 = 4   | goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2014      | clubs11 = [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]]             | caps11 = 12  | goals11 = 2
| nationalyears1      = 1998      | nationalteam1  = [[England national football B team|England B]]
| nationalcaps1       = 1         | nationalgoals1  = 0
| nationalyears2      = 1999–2002 | nationalteam2  = [[England national football team|England]]
| nationalcaps2       = 8         | nationalgoals2  = 0
| totalcaps           = 580       | totalgoals = 246
| manageryears1       = 2022–2023
| managerclubs1       = [[South Shields F.C.|South Shields]]
| manageryears2       = 2024
| managerclubs2       = [[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool United]]
| manageryears3       = 2024–
| managerclubs3       = [[AFC Fylde]]
| club-update         = 
}}

'''Kevin Mark Phillips''' (born 25 July 1973) is an English former professional [[Association football|footballer]] who is currently the head coach of {{English football updater|AFCFylde}} club [[AFC Fylde]].

A [[Forward (association football)#Striker|striker]], Phillips started his career with [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] but failed to make the first team and was released. He then signed for [[non-League]] side [[Baldock Town F.C.|Baldock Town]] where he impressed, earning a move to [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] in 1994. In 1997, Phillips signed for [[Football League First Division|First Division]] club [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]. In his first season he scored 35 goals in all competitions, the most goals in a season for a Sunderland player since the Second World War as well as being the league's top goalscorer. Phillips scored 23 goals in 26 league games in the following season as Sunderland were crowned champions of the First Division. He received his first call up to the [[England national football team|England national team]] in 1999. In the [[1999–2000 FA Premier League|1999–2000]] season, Phillips scored 30 [[Premier League]] goals to earn himself a place in the [[PFA Team of the Year]]. This goal tally earned him the [[Premier League Golden Boot|Golden Boot]] award as well as the [[European Golden Shoe]]. He was the first Englishman to have won the award and remains the only one to achieve it in the Premier League. Phillips was named in the squad for [[UEFA Euro 2000]] although he made no appearances at the finals. He made his eighth and final appearance for England in 2002. Phillips spent a further three seasons with the Wearside club, making 235 appearances and scoring 130 goals before departing for [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] in 2003 following Sunderland's relegation. 

After two seasons with Southampton and one with [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]], Phillips signed for [[Football League Championship|Championship]] club [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]]. In his second season with West Brom, Phillips was a member of the team that won the league with him being named as the [[EFL Awards|Championship Player of the Season]]. In 2008, he signed for fellow West Midlands club [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] where he won the [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] in his third season. He spent two seasons with Championship club [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] before moving to [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] initially on loan. With Palace, Phillips scored the winning penalty in the [[2013 Football League Championship play-off final|play-off final]] against his former club Watford to earn promotion to the Premier League. In January 2014, Phillips signed for [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] who won the Championship title. He retired at the end of the 2013–14 season.

He began his coaching career with his last club Leicester City as their assistant first team coach. After other coaching roles with [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] and [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]], he began his managerial career with [[South Shields F.C.|South Shields]]. With South Shields, he won the [[Northern Premier League]] title in his second season before leaving at the end of the season. In January 2024, he was confirmed as the new manager of [[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool United]].

==Club career==

===Early career===
Phillips was born in [[Hitchin]], Hertfordshire.<ref name=Hugman200506/> He started his footballing career as a trainee with [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]], where he spent six years, four as a schoolboy, before being taken on as an apprentice in 1989.<ref name=Chronicle>{{cite news |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/phillips-takes-pay-cut-1658976 |title=Phillips takes pay cut |newspaper=Evening Chronicle |location=Newcastle |date=15 August 2003 |access-date=28 May 2013}}</ref> As a youth, Phillips was considered to be too small to play up front<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/straight-out-of-wealdstone-the-nonleague-players-who-made-it-big-1879584.html?action=gallery&ino=7 |title=Straight out of Wealdstone: The non-league players who made it big. Kevin Phillips |first=Jimmy |last=Leach |website=independent.co.uk |date=26 January 2010 |access-date=25 February 2015}}</ref> and was played at right back,<ref name=Mercury/> in which position he made two reserve team appearances in 1990.<ref>{{cite book |last1= Holley |first1= Duncan |last2= Chalk|first2=Gary| title=In That Number – A post-war chronicle of Southampton FC  |publisher=Hagiology Publishing |year=2003| isbn=0-9534474-3-X|page=462}}</ref> He failed to make the grade at Southampton and was released by manager [[Chris Nicholl]], and returned to Hertfordshire where he signed for [[non-League]] semi-professional side [[Baldock Town F.C.|Baldock Town]] in the summer of 1991.<ref name=TreforJones/>

At Baldock Town, he was initially played as a defender until an injury crisis resulted in manager [[Ian Allinson]] playing Phillips as a striker, scoring twice in his first match in his new role.<ref name=Mercury>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-goal-machine-reveals-236960 |title=Birmingham City goal machine reveals Southampton played him as a right-back |newspaper=Sunday Mercury|location=Birmingham |date=27 December 2008 |access-date=28 May 2013}}</ref> He was signed by [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] in December 1994 for an initial £10,000, plus four additional payments of £5,000.<ref name=TreforJones>{{cite web |url=http://www.watfordfcarchive.com/downloads/players/+Pate-Pretty.pdf |title=Players: Pate to Pretty |website=Watford Football Club archive 1881–2016 |publisher=Trefor Jones |access-date=5 May 2017 |archive-date=23 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623033245/http://www.watfordfcarchive.com/downloads/players/+Pate-Pretty.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Watford===
Phillips established himself in the squad during the second half of the 1994–95 season, and played regularly before suffering a foot injury in March 1996, initially diagnosed as a hairline fracture and later discovered to be a hole in a ligament in his foot, that kept him out for a year.<ref name=WFCA1990s>{{cite web |url=http://www.watfordfcarchive.com/downloads/seasons/Mergedseasons1990to2000.pdf |title=Seasons: 1990/91 to 1999/2000 |website=Watford Football Club archive 1881–2012 |publisher=Trefor Jones |access-date=28 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217101406/http://www.watfordfcarchive.com/downloads/seasons/Mergedseasons1990to2000.pdf |archive-date=17 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A61323690/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=b1e75437 |title=Ramage on the rampage; Watford 2 Oldham 1 |newspaper=The Mirror |date=11 March 1996 |page=3 |access-date=18 August 2021 |via=Gale OneFile: News |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=Revels>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-phillips-revels-on-front-line-1118074.html |title=Phillips revels on front line |first=Norman |last=Fox |newspaper=The Independent |date=29 August 1999 |access-date=28 May 2013}}</ref> Watford were relegated from [[Football League First Division|Division One]] in 1995–96, and by the time Phillips returned to the team, they were in the top half of Division Two, and went on to finish 13th.<ref name=WFCA1990s/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/watford/1996-1997/results |title=Watford 1996–1997: Results |publisher=Statto Organisation |access-date=28 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524061352/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/watford/1996-1997/results |archive-date=24 May 2015}}</ref> In July 1997, Phillips signed for [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] for a fee of £325,000, potentially rising to more than £600,000.<ref name=PremPassion>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-wearsides-premier-passion-1155984.html |title=Wearside's premier passion |first=Simon |last=Turnbull |newspaper=The Independent |date=12 April 1998 |access-date=28 May 2013}}</ref>

===Sunderland===
[[File:Kevin Phillips & Niall Quinn.jpg|thumb|right|While at Sunderland, Phillips is best remembered for his partnership with fellow striker [[Niall Quinn]], resulting in him winning the [[Premier League Golden Boot]] and [[European Golden Shoe]] in 2000]]
Phillips signed for Sunderland just after their relegation from the Premiership. Fifteen matches into the Division One season, the club were in mid-table and Phillips had four goals.<ref name=Statto9798>{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/sunderland/1997-1998/results |title=Sunderland 1997–1998: Results |publisher=Statto Organisation |access-date=3 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508224642/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/sunderland/1997-1998/results |archive-date=8 May 2014}}</ref><ref name=sb9798/> In the remainder of the season, Phillips set or equalled club records by scoring in seven consecutive matches<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.safc.com/news/features/2013/january/otd-jan-17 |title=On this day... |first=Stuart |last=Vose |publisher=Sunderland A.F.C |date=17 January 2013 |access-date=3 June 2013}}</ref> and in nine consecutive home matches,<ref name=Heights>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/apr/28/newsstory.sport2 |title=Hitting heights on the level |first=Martin |last=Thorpe |website=guardian.co.uk |date=28 April 1999 |access-date=3 June 2013}}</ref> became the first Sunderland player since [[Brian Clough]] in 1961–62 to score 30 goals in a season,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60650088.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611144206/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60650088.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 June 2014 |title=30-up for King Kev |first=Alister |last=Harrison |newspaper=Sunday Mirror |date=26 April 1998 |access-date=3 June 2013}} {{subscription required}}</ref> and finished the campaign with 35 goals in all competitions, the most by any Sunderland player in one season since the Second World War.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.safc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/PastManagersDetail/0,,10281~1697066,00.html |title=Past managers: 1995–2006 |publisher=Sunderland A.F.C |access-date=3 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130707052624/http://www.safc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/PastManagersDetail/0,,10281~1697066,00.html |archive-date=7 July 2013}}</ref> His tally included a four-goal haul in the third round of the FA Cup at [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]] and two goals in the play-off campaign.<ref name=sb9798/> After scoring Sunderland's second goal in the play-off final, Phillips was substituted after 73 minutes with an injury, so missed the remainder of the 4–4 draw with [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] which Sunderland lost 7–6 on penalties.<ref name=sb9798/> Phillips later described the final as his "most disappointing day in football",<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:LTIB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1196A074D5E6AC98&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |title=Phillips is hoping not to pay the promotion penalty |first=Peter |last=Lansley |newspaper=The Times |date=28 May 2007 |access-date=3 June 2013}}</ref> but also as the best match he had ever played in.<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426174126/http://www.wba.co.uk/page/SimplyTheBest/0%2C%2C10366~965303%2C00.html |url=http://www.wba.premiumtv.co.uk/page/SimplyTheBest/0,,10366~965303,00.html |title=Simply the best: Kevin Phillips |publisher=West Bromwich Albion F.C |date=20 February 2007 |archive-date=26 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Phillips scored eight goals in the opening weeks of the 1998–99 season as Sunderland reached the top of the Division One table.<ref name=sb9899/><ref name=Statto9899>{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/sunderland/1998-1999/results |title=Sunderland 1998–1999: Results |publisher=Statto Organisation |access-date=4 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313161209/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/sunderland/1998-1999/results |archive-date=13 March 2014}}</ref> A broken toe sustained in a [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] tie against [[Chester City F.C.|Chester City]] in mid-September kept him out for nearly four months, but his goalscoring resumed immediately upon his return, with a "screaming volley" away to [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]].<ref name=SuperSuper>{{cite news |url=http://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/sport/other-sport/review-of-a-super-super-season-1-954617 |title=Review of a super, super season |first=Leighton |last=Kitson |newspaper=Wakefield Express |date=11 May 1999 |access-date=4 June 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130707071624/http://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/sport/more-local-sport/review-of-a-super-super-season-1-954617 |archive-date=7 July 2013}}</ref> Promotion was confirmed in April as Phillips scored four of Sunderland's five goals in an away game against [[Bury F.C.|Bury]], and he ended the season with 23 goals from only 26 league games, and 25 goals in all competitions.<ref name=sb9899/><ref name=SuperSuper/> His form earned him an international call-up for [[England national football team|England]], and he made his debut in the starting eleven in a [[exhibition match|friendly]] against [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]].<ref name="Phillips international"/>

In the run-up to the start of the [[1999–2000 FA Premier League]] season, pundit [[Rodney Marsh (footballer)|Rodney Marsh]] predicted that Phillips would struggle to get more than five or six goals at the higher level.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DSM1&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F721B4CAF0CBE42&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |title=Clause out for Shearer |first=Martin |last=Howey |newspaper=Daily Mirror |date=24 August 1999 |access-date=3 June 2013}}</ref> Forming a potent "little and large" strike pairing with veteran target-man [[Niall Quinn]],<ref name=DyingBreed>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20469693 |title=English football's dying breed of strike partnerships |work=BBC Sport |date=26 November 2012 |access-date=3 June 2013}}</ref> Phillips scored his sixth goal on 18 September&nbsp;– the first of a hat-trick against [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]]<ref name=sb9900/>&nbsp;– and was named [[Premier League Player of the Month]] for October.<ref name=PremProfile/> His goal tally was 20 by mid-January and 30 by the season's end,<ref name=sb9900/> a total that earned him not only the [[Premier League Golden Boot]]<ref name=PremProfile/> but also the [[European Golden Shoe]] award<ref name=Shoe>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/856691.stm |title=Phillips nets Golden prize |work=BBC Sport |date=29 July 2000 |access-date=12 February 2019 }}</ref>&nbsp;– he was the first Englishman to have won the latter and held the distinction until [[Harry Kane]] won the honour in 2024<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eusm.eu/item/goldenshoe_winners.htm |title=Award winners |publisher=European Sports Media |access-date=25 February 2015 |archive-date=4 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904215705/http://www.eusm.eu/item/goldenshoe_winners.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>&nbsp;– and with a 14-goal return from Quinn contributed to Sunderland's seventh-place finish, just missing out on a [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]] place.<ref name=DyingBreed/><ref name=7th>{{cite news |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/niall-quinns-sunderland-european-plan-1414961 |title=Niall Quinn's Sunderland European plan |first=James |last=Hunter |newspaper=The Chronicle |location=Newcastle upon Tyne |date=16 May 2010 |access-date=3 June 2013}}</ref>

In January 2001, Phillips scored his 104th goal for Sunderland, breaking the club's post-war goalscoring record.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/archive/2001/01/18/The+North+East+Archive/7120145.Kev_stakes_claim_with_club_record/ |title=Kev stakes claim with club record |newspaper=The Northern Echo |date=18 January 2001 |access-date=6 June 2013}}</ref> As the season wore on, Phillips suffered both a lack of form and disciplinary problems: he scored only once between mid-January and May, and came in for criticism from fans and local press.<ref name=sb0001/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/archive/2001/02/16/The+North+East+Archive/7117533.A_little_humility_please/ |title=A little humility please |newspaper=The Northern Echo |date=16 February 2001 |access-date=6 June 2013}}<br />{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/archive/2001/04/24/The+North+East+Archive/7111618.Phillips_vows_to_silence_Sunderland_mockers/ |title=Phillips vows to silence Sunderland mockers |newspaper=The Northern Echo |date=24 April 2001 |access-date=6 June 2013}}</ref> He finished the season with 18 goals in all competitions, 14 in the league,<ref name=sb0001/> as Sunderland again finished seventh and missed out on UEFA Cup qualification.<ref name=7th/>

Phillips' goals contribution to Sunderland's 2001–02 season fell to 13, of which 11 came in the league.<ref name=sb0102/> He relinquished his penalty-taking duties, after three consecutive spot-kicks were saved,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/1737773.stm |title=Phillips quits as penalty taker |work=BBC Sport |date=2 January 2002 |access-date=6 June 2013}}</ref> but his goal on the final day of the season, in a 1–1 draw with [[Derby County]], was enough to ensure 17th place and Premier League survival.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/Observer_Match_Report/0,3740,-39124,00.html |title=Phillips provides security |first=John |last=Wardle, John |newspaper=The Observer |date=12 May 2002 |access-date=6 June 2013}}</ref> He played the last months of the campaign despite a groin problem which required surgery over the 2002 close season.<ref name=2002surgery>{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/archive/2002/07/16/The+North+East+Archive/7066767.Phillips_to_be_kept_out_of_the_action/ |title=Phillips to be kept out of the action |newspaper=The Northern Echo |date=16 July 2002 |access-date=6 June 2013}}</ref>

Amid interest from clubs including [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] and [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]], Phillips "pledged his future" to Sunderland ahead of the 2002–03 season,<ref name=2002surgery/> though he later confirmed he had submitted a transfer request in August.<ref name=ToLeave>{{cite news |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/phillips-to-leave-1651479 |title=Phillips to leave |newspaper=Evening Chronicle |location=Newcastle upon Tyne |date=14 May 2003 |access-date=6 June 2013}}</ref> Manager [[Peter Reid]] brought in strikers [[Tore André Flo]] and [[Marcus Stewart]], and warned Phillips he was no longer an automatic first choice.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/archive/2002/08/31/The+North+East+Archive/7061224.Phillips__position_under_threat_after_double_deal/ |title=Phillips' position under threat after double deal |newspaper=The Northern Echo |date=31 August 2002 |access-date=6 June 2013}}</ref> Phillips in fact started 32 of the 38 league matches, but scored only 6 goals<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2493&teamTabs=stats&season_id=132 |title=Sunderland 2002/03 Player appearances |work=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=6 June 2013}}</ref> as the club were relegated with just four wins and what were then Premier League record lows of 19 points and 21 goals.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://espnfc.com/feature?id=335138&cc=5739 |title=2002/03&nbsp;– Season Review |first=Dale |last=Johnson |publisher=ESPN FC |date=4 July 2005 |access-date=6 June 2013}}</ref> A second transfer request was rejected in January, but at the end of the season Phillips confirmed that the club's need to reduce its expenditure in light of relegation meant that he would be leaving.<ref name=ToLeave/> He had played in 235 matches for Sunderland, and scored 130 goals at an average of better than a goal every two games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thestatcat.co.uk/Player.aspx?PlayerID=1 |title=Player details: Kevin Phillips |website=The StatCat |access-date=8 January 2015}}</ref>

===Southampton===
In August 2003, following Sunderland's relegation from the Premier League, Phillips moved to the south coast to join [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] for a fee of £3.25 million,<ref>{{cite news| title = Southampton land Phillips| url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/3150981.stm| work = BBC Sport| date = 14 August 2003 | access-date = 30 May 2013}}</ref> with Phillips signing a four-year contract, while taking a substantial cut in his salary.<ref name=Chronicle/>

He made his debut on 16 August, coming on as a substitute away to [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] and scoring with a long-range strike in a 2–2 draw.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3140897.stm|work=Leicester 2 – 2 Southampton |title=Saints ruin Foxes' return|date=16 August 2003|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=30 May 2013}}</ref> His next goal came at [[White Hart Lane]] on 20 September when the ball ricocheted in off him from an attempted clearance by [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]'s [[Anthony Gardner]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Saints put pressure on Hoddle |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3084368.stm |work=Tottenham 1 – 3 Southampton|publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=30 May 2013 |date=20 September 2003}}</ref> This was followed in mid-week by the equalising goal in a 1–1 draw with [[FC Steaua București|Steaua Bucharest]] in the [[2003-04 UEFA Cup#First round|UEFA Cup First round]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Brodkin|first=Jon|title=Phillips gives Saints hope for second leg |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/sep/25/newsstory.sport10|access-date=30 May 2013|newspaper=The Guardian |date=25 September 2003}}</ref> On the following Saturday, Phillips was [[Penalty card#Red card|sent off]] in the final minute of a bad-tempered 1–0 defeat to [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]], after he kicked out at Boro defender [[Franck Queudrue]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Lawrence|first=Amy|title=Phillips a sinner as Saints crash |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/sep/28/match.sport1 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=30 May 2013|date=28 September 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=No Strachan backing for Phillips|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/3145774.stm|work=BBC Sport |access-date=30 May 2013|date=28 September 2003}}</ref>

Phillips then failed to score for over three months until his fourth goal of the season came in a 2–1 victory over [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] on 17 January 2004.<ref>{{cite news|title=Southampton 2 – 1 Leeds United |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3385511.stm |work=BBC Sport |access-date=30 May 2013|date=17 January 2004}}</ref> There then followed a rich run of form with Phillips netting ten further goals in the final four months of the season including two goals in the matches at [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Manchester United 3 – 2 Southampton|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3417887.stm|work=BBC Sport |access-date=30 May 2013|date=31 January 2004}}</ref> [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Wolves 1 – 4 Southampton |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3571945.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 May 2013|date=3 April 2004}}</ref> and [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Manchester City 1 – 3 Southampton |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3615833.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 May 2013|date=17 April 2004}}</ref> Phillips ended [[2003–04 Southampton F.C. season|the 2003–04 season]] with 13 goals in total, from 37 appearances.<ref name=sb0304/>

In March 2004, manager [[Gordon Strachan]] had resigned to be replaced by [[Paul Sturrock]] who was dismissed shortly after the start of [[2004-05 in English football|the 2004–05 season]], to be replaced in turn by [[Steve Wigley]] who spent just three months in charge before the arrival of [[Harry Redknapp]] from local rivals [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] in December.<ref>{{cite web|title=Southampton: Manager history |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2471&teamTabs=managers|work=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=30 May 2013}}</ref> Phillips had now played under four managers within a year.

Despite the frequent changes in manager, Phillips continued to score regularly in his partnership with new signing [[Peter Crouch]]. He managed ten league goals in 2004–05,<ref name=sb0405/> including two in a 3–3 draw with [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] on 5 January.<ref>{{cite news|title=Southampton 3 – 3 Fulham|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4130171.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 May 2013|date=5 January 2005}}</ref> Despite Phillips's goals, the club finished at the bottom of the table and were relegated after 27 years in the top flight.<ref>{{cite news |title=Southampton 1–2 Manchester United|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4525113.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 May 2013|date=15 May 2005}}</ref> On 29 June 2005, Phillips departed from Southampton after two years and 22 league goals to join Aston Villa in a £1&nbsp;million deal.<ref name = BBC290606/>

===Aston Villa===
Phillips signed a two-year contract with Premier League club Aston Villa for a fee of £1&nbsp;million on 29 June 2005.<ref name = BBC290606>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/4635519.stm |title=Phillips completes Villa switch |work=BBC Sport |date=29 June 2006 |access-date=29 May 2013}}</ref> He scored just four minutes into his Villa debut,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/Observer_Match_Report/0,3740,-55530,00.html |title=Phillips first off the mark in Villa Park goal rush |first=Stuart |last=James |newspaper=The Observer |date=14 August 2005 |access-date=29 May 2013}}</ref> and then returned from injury to seal Villa's first Premier League defeat of local rivals [[Birmingham City]] in seven attempts.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11677/2351361/ |title=Phillips nears return |first=Lewis |last= Rutledge |publisher=Sky Sports |date=11 October 2005 |access-date=29 May 2013}}<br />{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/64587/report |title=Phillips goal ends hoodoo |first=James |last=Pearson |publisher=Sky Sports |date=16 October 2005 |access-date=29 May 2013}}</ref> Phillips shared front-man duties with [[Juan Pablo Ángel]] and fellow new signing [[Milan Baroš]], but illness and further injuries disrupted his season, in which he contributed only five goals.<ref name=sb0506/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11677/2373147/ |title=Phillips owns up to poor season |first=Lewis |last=Rutledge |publisher=Sky Sports |date=11 April 2006 |access-date=29 May 2013}}</ref> He began the 2006–07 season with Villa, but on 22 August, he signed for [[West Bromwich Albion]] of the Championship for a £700,000 fee.<ref name=JoinsWBA>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/5274054.stm |title=Phillips makes move to West Brom |work=BBC Sport |date=22 August 2006 |access-date=29 May 2013}}</ref>

===West Bromwich Albion===
[[File:Kevin Phillips 20070922.jpg|thumb|right|Warming up for [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] in 2007]]
Phillips joined West Bromwich Albion despite strong interest from Sunderland, where his former strike partner Niall Quinn had recently become both chairman and manager.<ref name=JoinsWBA/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/848427.quinn_wants_phillips/ |title=Quinn wants Phillips to spearhead attack |first=Scott |last=Wilson |newspaper=The Northern Echo |date=26 July 2006 |access-date=30 May 2013}}</ref> He cited a reluctance to move his family and home for a third time in three years as a major factor in his decision.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/local/all-news/phillips-won-t-lose-any-focus-at-sol-1-1122218 |title=Phillips won't lose any focus at SoL |newspaper=Sunderland Echo |date=28 August 2006 |access-date=30 May 2013 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060121/http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/local/all-news/phillips-won-t-lose-any-focus-at-sol-1-1122218 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He scored 22 goals in his first season with West Brom, including two hat-tricks, one in a 5–1 win at [[Ipswich Town]] and the second in a 7–0 defeat of [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]] on the final day of the regular season that confirmed Albion's place in the play-offs.<ref name=sb0607/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6602897.stm |title=West Brom 7–0 Barnsley |work=BBC Sport |date=6 May 2007 |access-date=30 May 2013}}</ref> Phillips scored twice in the first leg of the play-off semi-final against [[Wolverhampton Wanderers]], and headed the only goal of the second leg to ensure their progression to [[2007 Football League Championship play-off Final|the final]], in which they lost 1–0 to [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]].<ref name=sb0607/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6649727.stm |title=West Brom 1–0 Wolves |first=Phil|last=McNulty|author-link=Phil McNulty|work=BBC Sport |date=16 May 2007 |access-date=30 May 2013}}</ref>

He missed six weeks of the 2007–08 season because of a knee injury sustained in early November, but rediscovered his goalscoring form on his return to win the Championship player-of-the-month award for December.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080206051737/http://www.wba.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0%2C%2C10366~1199647%2C00.html |url=http://www.wba.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0,,10366~1199647,00.html |title=Kev's back in the saddle |publisher=West Bromwich Albion F.C |date=27 December 2007 |archive-date= 6 February 2008 |url-status=dead }}<br />{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_bromwich_albion/7176525.stm |title=Phillips wins Player of the Month |work=BBC Sport |date=8 January 2008 |access-date=30 May 2013 }}</ref> Described by Albion manager [[Tony Mowbray]] as "a natural goal-scorer with great awareness and vision",<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2288808/Ageless-Kevin-Phillips-fuels-Albions-rise.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2288808/Ageless-Kevin-Phillips-fuels-Albions-rise.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Ageless Kevin Phillips fuels Albion's rise |first=William|last=Johnson |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=14 January 2008 |access-date=30 May 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Phillips scored his 200th League goal in a 1–1 draw with [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] on 13 March 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2294320/Victor-Moses-rescues-a-point-for-Crystal-Palace.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2294320/Victor-Moses-rescues-a-point-for-Crystal-Palace.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Victor Moses rescues a point for Crystal Palace |first=Ian |last=Edwards |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=13 March 2008 |access-date=30 May 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> For the last match of the season, away to [[Queens Park Rangers]], fans of West Bromwich Albion chose to dress up as [[superhero]]es in honour of Phillips, who is nicknamed "Super Kev";<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503101155/http://www.wba.co.uk/page/News/0%2C%2C10366~1296499%2C00.html |url=http://www.wba.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0,,10366~1296499,00.html |title=Fans gear up for 'Super' day |publisher=West Bromwich Albion F.C |date=24 April 2008 |archive-date= 3 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Albion won the match 2–0 to win promotion to the Premier League as champions.<ref name=WBA0708>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7368623.stm |title=QPR 0–2 West Brom |work=BBC Sport |date=4 May 2008 |access-date=30 May 2013}}</ref> Phillips won numerous awards over the season. He received Player-of-the-Year awards from both the West Bromwich Albion Supporters Club and from the club itself, after scoring 24 goals from 30 starts and finishing as the Championship's second top goalscorer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/kevin-phillips-named-west-bromwich-62400 |title=Kevin Phillips named West Bromwich Albion Player of the Year |first=Chris |last=Lepkowski |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=25 April 2008 |access-date=30 May 2013 }}<br />{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503101201/http://www.wba.co.uk/page/News/0%2C%2C10366~1311151%2C00.html |url=http://www.wba.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0,,10366~1311151,00.html |title=More plaudits for King Kev |publisher=West Bromwich Albion F.C |date=14 May 2008 |archive-date= 3 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> At national level, he was chosen Championship Player of the Year at the annual [[EFL Awards|Football League Awards]], ahead of [[Andy Gray (footballer born 1977)|Andy Gray]] of [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] and [[Michael Kightly]] of Wolverhampton Wanderers,<ref name=PotY2008>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7267383.stm |title=Phillips wins Championship award |work=BBC Sport |date=3 March 2008 |access-date=30 May 2013}}</ref> and, together with teammates [[Paul Robinson (defender born 1978)|Paul Robinson]] and [[Jonathan Greening]], was named in the [[PFA Team of the Year#2007–08|PFA Championship Team of the Year]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7370319.stm |title=Ronaldo named player of the year |work=BBC Sport |date=27 April 2008 |access-date=30 May 2013}}</ref>

===Birmingham City===
When his contract with West Bromwich Albion expired at the end of the 2007–08 season, the club offered Phillips a one-year deal, with an additional second year if he made 19 or more league appearances. He rejected the offer, preferring to sign a two-year contract with Birmingham City, newly relegated from the Premier League.<ref>{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112052439/http://www.skysports.com/story/0%2C19528%2C11661_3796911%2C00.html |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3796911,00.html |title=Phillips signs Blues deal |publisher=Sky Sports |date=9 July 2008 |archive-date=12 January 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He made his debut on the opening day of the 2008–09 season against [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]], coming on as a substitute to score a stoppage time winner in a 1–0 victory.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/aug/09/championship.birminghamcityfc |title=Phillips debut goal secures injury-time win for Birmingham |last=Goodhart|first=  Benjie |work=guardian.co.uk |date=9 August 2008 |access-date=30 May 2013}}</ref> Phillips continued his scoring run with goals in his next two games, against Southampton and Barnsley,<ref name=sb0809/> "lashed in a stinging low drive"<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/3868395/Reading-breeze-in-to-second-with-impressive-victory-over-Birmingham.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/3868395/Reading-breeze-in-to-second-with-impressive-victory-over-Birmingham.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Reading breeze in to second with impressive victory over Birmingham |last=McVay|first=  David |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=20 December 2008 |access-date=30 May 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> against [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] that earned him the club's Goal of the Season award,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-boss-in-rally-call-90237 |title=Birmingham City boss in rally call to fans |last=Tattum|first=  Colin |work=Birmingham Mail |date=15 April 2009 |access-date=30 May 2013}}</ref> and finished the season with 14 goals in all competitions. His 14th, to take a two-goal lead in a 2–1 win against promotion rivals Reading on the last day of the season, ensured Birmingham's return to the Premier League after just one season in the Championship.<ref name=BCFCfuture>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-striker-kevin-phillips-99375 |title=Birmingham City striker Kevin Phillips assured about his future |last=Tattum|first= Colin |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=4 August 2009 |access-date=30 May 2013}}</ref>

At 36, Phillips recognised he would play a reduced role at the higher level.<ref name=BCFCfuture/> In a season when manager [[Alex McLeish]] relied on consistency in team selection&nbsp;– Birmingham set a Premier League record of nine consecutive matches with the same starting eleven, and a club record twelve-match unbeaten run in the top flight<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11694_5850655,00.html |title=McLeish proud of Blues |publisher=Sky Sports |date=9 January 2010 |access-date=31 May 2013}}<br />{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,25212,12038_5854263,00.html |title=The cold rush |publisher=Sky Sports |last=Tyler|first= Martin |date=12 January 2010 |access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref>&nbsp;– he started only twice, but came on as substitute in 17 games. He scored only four goals,<ref name=sb0910/> but those goals contributed four points to the club's highest finish for more than 50 years.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/mar/27/birmingham-city-wembley-relegation |title=Birmingham's downward spiral from Wembley glory to relegation and strife |last=James|first= Stuart |newspaper=The Guardian |date=28 March 2013 |access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> Against Wolverhampton Wanderers, he came off the bench to score twice in the last ten minutes and win the game,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8498167.stm |title=Birmingham 2–1 Wolverhampton |last=Sheringham|first= Sam |work=BBC Sport |date=7 February 2010 |access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> and on 27 March 2010, 1–0 down at home to [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], a 92nd-minute clearance by [[Bacary Sagna]] deflected off Phillips' face via the goalkeeper into the net for his 250th career goal.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sheringham |first1=Sam |title=Birmingham 1–1 Arsenal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8587242.stm |work=BBC Sport |access-date=13 December 2018 |date=27 March 2010}}</ref>

He signed a one-year contract extension ahead of the 2010–11 season,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/8748428.stm |title=Striker Kevin Phillips extends Birmingham contract |work=BBC Sport |date=18 June 2010 |access-date=31 May 2010}}</ref> but missed the start through injury. He went on to make five league starts, but his major contribution came in the League Cup. Facing [[Football League One|League One]] club [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]], Phillips scored a stoppage-time equaliser and converted his penalty in the [[penalty shootout|shootout]] by which Birmingham progressed to the quarter-final. They went on to reach [[2011 Football League Cup Final|the final]], where Phillips received his first winners' medal in a cup competition, albeit as an unused substitute, as Birmingham defeated favourites Arsenal 2–1.<ref name=LgeCup2011>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/oct/27/kevin-phillips-birmingham-city |title=Kevin Phillips on the scent of a first cup medal with Birmingham City |last=James|first= Stuart |newspaper=The Guardian |date=27 October 2010 |access-date=30 May 2013}}<br>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/9405702.stm |title=Arsenal 1–2 Birmingham |first=Philip |last=McNulty |work=BBC Sport |date=27 February 2011 |access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> Birmingham finished 18th in the League, so were relegated to the Championship, and Phillips was one of several players to leave the club when their contracts expired at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/kevin-phillips-sebastian-larsson-and-lee-bowyer-leave-birmingham-2289894.html |title=Kevin Phillips, Sebastian Larsson and Lee Bowyer leave Birmingham |newspaper=The Independent |agency=Press Association |date=27 May 2011 |access-date=30 May 2013}}</ref>

===Blackpool===
On 10 July 2011, Phillips signed a one-year deal with Football League Championship club [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Phillips signs for Seasiders |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_7030603,00.html |publisher=Sky Sports |date=10 July 2011 |access-date=10 July 2011}}</ref> On 14 August, he scored both of Blackpool's goals in their 2–1 league victory over [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]], on his home debut.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14435081.stm |title=Blackpool 2–1 Peterborough |work=BBC Sport |date=14 August 2011 |access-date=28 May 2013}}</ref> He again scored twice a few days later, including a last-minute equaliser, in a 2–2 draw away at [[Brighton & Hove Albion]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/14514693.stm |title=Brighton 2–2 Blackpool |work=BBC Sport |date=20 August 2011 |access-date=28 May 2013}}</ref> On 5 November, Phillips scored the only goal of the game against [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] within three minutes of coming on as a substitute.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15504460 |title=Blackpool 1–0 Millwall |work=BBC Sport |date=5 November 2011 |access-date=28 May 2013}}</ref> In a five-game spell in January and February 2012, he came off the bench to score late equalising goals in three league matches, two of which Blackpool went on to win,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16453658 |title=Ipswich 2–2 Blackpool |work=BBC Sport |date=14 January 2012 |access-date=28 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/16695840.stm |title=Blackpool 2–1 Coventry |work=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2012 |access-date=22 February 2018}}</ref><ref name=Cardiff>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/feb/04/cardiff-city-blackpool-championship-match-report |title=Phillips boys strike as Blackpool come from behind to beat Cardiff |first=Joe|last=Lovejoy |newspaper=The Observer |date=5 February 2012 |access-date=28 May 2012}}</ref> and, in his first start for three months, converted a 93rd-minute penalty against [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] in the fourth round of the FA Cup to force a replay.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/fa-cup/9044002/Blackpool-1-Sheffield-Wednesday-1-match-report.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/fa-cup/9044002/Blackpool-1-Sheffield-Wednesday-1-match-report.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Blackpool 1 Sheffield Wednesday 1: match report |first=Ian|last=Whittell |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=28 January 2012 |access-date=28 May 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Phillips finished the season as the club's top scorer, with 17 goals in all competitions, and won their goal of the season for his equaliser against Cardiff City,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/blackpool-fc/ollie-hails-king-kev-1-4675097 |title=Ollie hails king Kev |newspaper=Blackpool Gazette |date=23 June 2012 |access-date=28 May 2012}}</ref> described in ''[[The Observer]]'' as "a lovely lob punishing [goalkeeper] [[David Marshall (Scottish footballer)|David Marshall]] for a punched clearance that lacked the required distance. Phillips took the ball down on his chest, picked his spot and scored with consummate skill and accuracy".<ref name=Cardiff/>

Phillips took up the option to extend his Blackpool contract for a further year,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18161795 |title=Kevin Phillips stays on at Blackpool for another season |work=BBC Sport |date=22 May 2012 |access-date=28 May 2013}}</ref> but scored only twice from 18 appearances before following manager [[Ian Holloway]] to Championship rivals [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]].<ref name=PalaceLoan>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21286548 |title=Kevin Phillips & Stephen Dobbie join Crystal Palace on loan |work=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2013 |access-date=28 May 2013}}</ref>

===Crystal Palace===
On the last day of the January 2013 transfer window, Phillips signed on loan to Crystal Palace until the end of the 2012–13 season.<ref name=PalaceLoan/> He made his debut as a half-time substitute in the 2–1 win at home to [[Charlton Athletic]], after being 1–0 down prior to his introduction,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/375400/Crystal-Palace-2-Charlton-1-Kevin-Phillips-keen-on-generation-game |title=Crystal Palace 2&nbsp;– Charlton 1: Kevin Phillips keen on generation game |first=Michael|last=Johns |newspaper=Daily Express |date=4 February 2013 |access-date=28 May 2013}}</ref> and scored his first goal for the Eagles in their next game, against his former club Watford at [[Vicarage Road]]. Palace were again trailing when he came off the bench, 2–0 down with half an hour remaining, and Phillips scored the equaliser as the side fought back to achieve a 2–2 draw.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21289480 |title=Watford 2–2 Crystal Palace |first=Chris|last=McKenna |work=BBC Sport |date=8 February 2013 |access-date=28 May 2013}}</ref> Phillips' hat-trick, scored in eight minutes either side of half-time in a 4–2 defeat of [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]], made him the oldest scorer in Palace's history at 39 years 7 months.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/kevin-phillips-ambition-outlast-ryan-1746865 |title=Top 40: Goal machine Kevin Phillips aims to keep Ryan Giggs out of the record books |first=Hector |last=Nunns |newspaper=Daily Mirror |date=6 March 2013 |access-date=28 May 2013}}</ref> This is also the club's fastest ever hat-trick in the league, beating the previous record set by [[Dougie Freedman]] in 11 minutes in a 5–0 win against Grimsby Town exactly 17 years before. On 27 May, he came on as a substitute in the [[2013 Football League Championship play-off Final|play-off final]] and converted an extra-time penalty, after [[Wilfried Zaha]] had been fouled by [[Marco Cassetti]], to secure Palace's promotion to the Premier League at the expense of former club [[Watford F.C.|Watford]].<ref name=Playoff2013>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22592831 |title=Crystal Palace 1–0 Watford |first=Paul |last= Fletcher |work=BBC Sport |date=27 May 2013 |access-date=28 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=How it feels to win the Championship play-off final | website=BBC Sport | date=26 May 2024 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cx00p98203eo | access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref> [[Steve Parish (businessman)|Steve Parish]] indicated in the ''[[Croydon Advertiser]]'' that Phillips had agreed to a one-year deal with Palace in July 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ritson |first=Mark |title=EXCLUSIVE: Palace supremo confirms Kevin Phillips deal |url=http://www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE-Palace-supremo-confirms-Kevin-Phillips/story-19531538-detail/story.html |access-date=18 July 2013 |newspaper=Croydon Advertiser |date=17 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723101738/http://www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE-Palace-supremo-confirms-Kevin-Phillips/story-19531538-detail/story.html |archive-date=23 July 2013 |quote=It's done – it's a one-year deal. He's been training with us, I believe the paperwork has all been done so it's going through." |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 20 July, Palace confirmed that Phillips had joined the club on a one-year deal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23388592|title=Kevin Phillips: Crystal Palace contract for veteran striker|work=BBC Sport|date=20 July 2013|access-date=20 July 2013}}</ref> On 31 December, Palace announced that Phillips would leave the club by mutual consent in January.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2013/december/phillips-to-leave-palace/|title=Phillips To Leave Palace|publisher=Crystal Palace F.C.|date=31 December 2013|access-date=31 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405024610/https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2013/december/phillips-to-leave-palace/ |archive-date=5 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Phillips|first=Kevin|title=Kevin Phillips blogs on leaving Crystal Palace and finding a new club|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/29333/9100239/kevin-phillips-blogs-on-leaving-crystal-palace-and-finding-a-new-club|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=5 January 2014|date=3 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106041138/http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/29333/9100239/kevin-phillips-blogs-on-leaving-crystal-palace-and-finding-a-new-club |archive-date=6 January 2014}}</ref>

===Leicester City===
On 15 January 2014, Leicester City confirmed that they had signed Phillips on a short-term contract until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/150114-kevin-phillips-joins-leicester-city-1296773.aspx|title=Kevin Phillips Joins Leicester City|publisher=Leicester City F.C.|date=15 December 2013|access-date=15 December 2013}}</ref> The striker made his debut on 18 January against [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]], coming on as a substitute for [[Jamie Vardy]], helping create the opportunity that saw fellow former England international [[David Nugent]] score the winning goal of the game. On 1 February, Phillips scored his first goal for the club against [[AFC Bournemouth]], heading in winger [[Anthony Knockaert]]'s cross. Phillips' second goal for Leicester, his first at home, came in the 3–1 victory over former club Blackpool on 15 March. On 28 April, he announced his intention to retire from football at the conclusion of the 2013–14 season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kevin Phillips: Leicester City striker announces retirement|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27193835|access-date=28 April 2014|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=28 April 2014}}</ref> With Leicester already confirmed as champions, Phillips played his final career game in the last match of the season, against [[Doncaster Rovers]] on 3 May, and was substituted in the 65th minute.<ref name=LCFC2014>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27167657 |title=Leicester 1–0 Doncaster |work=BBC Sport |date=3 May 2014 |access-date=3 May 2014}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
[[File:Kevin Phillips Leicester City coach.jpg|thumb|right|175px|Phillips as a coach of [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] in 2014]]

===Leicester City===
Following his retirement from football, Phillips was offered a coaching role and remained at Leicester City as assistant first team coach for the club's first season back in the Premier League.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/kevin-phillips-retires-leicester-striker-opts-not-to-have-another-crack-at-the-premier-league-9298434.html | title=Kevin Phillips retires: Leicester striker opts not to have another crack at the Premier League | work=Independent | date=28 April 2014 | access-date=27 May 2016}}</ref>

===Derby County===
On 17 September 2015, Phillips was appointed as assistant coach to [[Paul Clement (football manager)|Paul Clement]] at Derby County.<ref name="dcfcassistant2015">{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/sep/17/kevin-phillips-leaves-leicester-city-to-join-derby-county | title=Kevin Phillips leaves Leicester City to become Derby County's No2 | work=The Guardian | date=17 September 2015 | access-date=18 September 2015}}</ref>

===Stoke City===
In June 2018, Phillips joined as first-team coach to [[Gary Rowett]] at [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Gary on his backroom team |url=https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/coaching-team-check-in |website=Stoke City |access-date=26 June 2018}}</ref> He left Stoke on 8 January 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gary Rowett sacked by Stoke City |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-city-gary-rowett-sacked-2404836 |website=Stoke Sentinel |access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref>

===South Shields===
On 16 January 2022, Phillips was appointed as manager of [[Northern Premier League#Premier Division|Northern Premier League Premier Division]] club [[South Shields F.C.|South Shields]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Kevin Phillips reacts as ex-Cats, Watford, Leicester City and Aston Villa striker named manager of South Shields |url=https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/kevin-phillips-reacts-as-ex-cats-watford-leicester-city-and-aston-villa-striker-named-manager-of-south-shields-3529520 |website=Shields Gazette |access-date=16 January 2021}}</ref> Despite being favourites to win the league, South Shields finished second and lost in the play-off semi-finals to [[Warrington Town F.C.|Warrington Town]] in Phillips' first season as manager.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kevin Phillips delivers verdict on South Shields’ play-off defeat to Warrington Town and why he will ‘shoulder most of the blame’ |url=https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/kevin-phillips-delivers-verdict-on-south-shields-play-off-defeat-to-warrington-town-and-why-he-will-shoulder-most-of-the-blame-3670288 |website=Shields Gazette |access-date=28 April 2022}}</ref>

Phillips secured promotion in his second season with the club, winning the league title with two games to spare with a 1–0 victory at [[Whitby Town F.C.|Whitby Town]].<ref name=ShieldsNPLTitle>{{cite web |title=Shields clinch title after 1-0 win at Whitby|url=https://www.southshieldsfc.co.uk/post/match-report-whitby-town-0-1-south-shields |website=South Shields FC |access-date=10 April 2023}}</ref> He departed the club by mutual consent on 22 April 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kevin Phillips to leave South Shields FC |url=https://www.southshieldsfc.co.uk/post/kevin-phillips-to-leave-south-shields-fc |website=South Shields FC |access-date=23 April 2023}}</ref>

===Hartlepool United===
On 20 January 2024, Phillips was appointed as head coach of [[National League (division)|National League]] club [[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool United]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Kevin Phillips appointed head coach |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2024/january/kevin-phillips-appointed-head-coach/|website=Hartlepool United FC |access-date=20 January 2024}}</ref> Hartlepool had been relegated from [[EFL League Two|League Two]] in the previous season and were in 16th position, four points above the relegation zone prior to Phillips' appointment.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68043559 |title=Kevin Phillips: Hartlepool United appoint ex-England and Sunderland striker as head coach |website=BBC Sport |date=20 January 2024 |access-date=3 February 2024}}</ref> His first match with Hartlepool was a 2–1 home win against [[York City F.C.|York City]] on 27 January.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/sunderland-legend-kevin-phillips-wins-first-game-in-charge-at-hartlepool-united-with-2-1-national-league-victory-over-york-city-4495427 |title=Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips wins first game in charge at Hartlepool United with 2–1 National League victory over York City |last=Ledwith |first=Gavin |website=Hartlepool Mail |date=27 January 2024 |access-date=3 February 2024}}</ref> Hartlepool finished the season in 12th position.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2024/april/match-report-pools-end-season-in-style/ |title=Match Report: Pools end season in style |website=Hartlepool United FC |date=20 April 2024 |access-date=23 April 2024}}</ref> On 27 April 2024, Phillips' departure was confirmed after his contract expired.<ref>{{cite news |title=Club Update: Kevin Phillips |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2024/april/club-update-kevin-phillips/ |access-date=27 April 2024 |work=Hartlepool United FC |date=27 April 2024}}</ref> Following his departure from Hartlepool, a statement from Phillips' representatives said that the club had offered him a two-year contract before later withdrawing their offer of a new contract.<ref name="KPHUFC">{{cite news |url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/what-former-hartlepool-united-boss-kevin-phillips-has-had-to-say-about-his-departure-from-pools-4610942 |title=What former Hartlepool United boss Kevin Phillips has had to say about his departure from Pools |website=Hartlepool Mail |date=30 April 2024 |access-date=14 May 2024}}</ref> Phillips himself added that: "I have thoroughly enjoyed working at Hartlepool United and with all the existing staff there".<ref name="KPHUFC"/> Hartlepool won 7 games from 16 during his tenure.<ref name="KPHUFC"/>

===AFC Fylde===
On 8 October 2024, Phillips was appointed head coach of National League side [[AFC Fylde]].<ref> {{cite web|url=https://www.afcfylde.co.uk/kevin-phillips-appointed-new-head-coach/|title=Kevin Phillips Appointed New Head Coach|website=www.afcfylde.co.uk|date=8 October 2024|accessdate=8 October 2024}}</ref>

==International career==
Between April 1999 and February 2002, Phillips made eight appearances for [[England national football team|England]] but failed to score.<ref name = "Phillips international">{{cite web |title=Kevin Phillips Profile |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamPlyrsBios/PlayersP/BioPhillipsKM.html |work=England players |publisher=www.englandfootballonline.com|access-date=30 May 2013}}</ref> His debut came when he was one of five international debutants selected by manager [[Kevin Keegan]] for the friendly match away to [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]]. Phillips had an opportunity to score in the first half, but his shot hit [[Gábor Király]]'s legs. In the 74th minute, Phillips was replaced by fellow debutant [[Emile Heskey]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Hungary 1 England 1|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1990-00/1998-99/M0757Hun1999.html |work=Match Summary and Report|publisher=www.englandfootballonline.com|access-date=30 May 2013|date=28 April 1999}}</ref>

In the final warm-up match before the [[UEFA Euro 2000|Euro 2000]] tournament, Phillips failed to score in a 2–1 victory against [[Malta national football team|Malta]], with the [[BBC]] describing him as having "that slightly desperate look of all fringe players who have been left precious little time to impress".<ref>{{cite web|title=Malta 1 – 2 England: Close shave for shaky England|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/euro2000/teams/england/775891.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 May 2013|date=4 June 2000}}</ref> Despite this, Phillips was selected by Keegan as part of the England squad for Euro 2000, but he remained an unused substitute.<ref name = "Phillips international"/>

In his final appearance for England, he came on as a half-time substitute in a friendly against the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]] on 13 February 2002,<ref>{{cite web |title=Netherlands 1 – 1 England|url=http://englandstats.com/matches.php?mid=786|publisher=www.englandstats.com|access-date=30 May 2013 |date=13 February 2002}}</ref> in which he had a chance to equalise when he forced keeper [[Edwin van der Sar]] into an error; Van der Sar then produced a point-blank save from [[David Beckham]]'s follow-up.<ref>{{cite web|title=Holland 1 – 1 England: Vassell pegs back Dutch |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2002/1816114.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 May 2013|date=13 February 2002}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Phillips is married to Julie. They have four children.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/kevin-phillips-family-guy-likes-to-be-beside-the-sea-ndash-despite-the-drive-2365513.html |title=Kevin Phillips: Family guy likes to be beside the sea&nbsp;– despite the drive |first=Tim |last=Rich |newspaper=The Independent |date=5 October 2011 |access-date=30 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jan/28/kevin-phillips-south-shields-manager-interview-sunderland |title=Kevin Phillips: 'I've waited a long time to be a manager – I want to do it right' |first=Louise |last=Taylor |newspaper=The Guardian |date=28 January 2022 |access-date=25 September 2022}}</ref>

Phillips' cousin-in-law is [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] politician [[Jess Phillips]].<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=jessphillips |author=Jess Phillips |number=478276279083737088 |date = 15 June 2014 |title=My husbands cousin is the footballer Kevin Phillips, this is only footie related talk ever muttered at home. #willnotbeabletojoininforawhile}}</ref>

==Career statistics==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Club performance
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|[[FA Cup]]
!colspan="2"|[[Football League Cup|League Cup]]
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!scope="col"|Division
!scope="col"|Apps
!scope="col"|Goals
!scope="col"|Apps
!scope="col"|Goals
!scope="col"|Apps
!scope="col"|Goals
!scope="col"|Apps
!scope="col"|Goals
!scope="col"|Apps
!scope="col"|Goals
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Watford F.C.|Watford]]
|[[1994–95 Watford F.C. season|1994–95]]<ref name=BCFCprofile>{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10412~6025,00.html |title=Player profiles: Kevin Phillips |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209080424/http://www.bcfc.com/page/ProfilesDetail/0%2C%2C10412~6025%2C00.html |archive-date= 9 December 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|[[Football League First Division|First Division]]||16||9||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||16||9
|-
|[[1995–96 Watford F.C. season|1995–96]]<ref name=BCFCprofile/>
|First Division||27||11||2||0||2||1||colspan="2"|—||31||12
|-
|[[1996–97 Watford F.C. season|1996–97]]<ref name=sb9697>{{soccerbase season|6332|1996|access-date=8 January 2015}}</ref><ref name=TreforJones/>
|[[Football League Second Division|Second Division]]||16||4||0||0||0||0||2{{efn|Appearances in [[Football League Trophy]]}}||0||18||4
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!59||24||2||0||2||1||2||0||65||25
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]
|[[1997–98 Sunderland A.F.C. season|1997–98]]<ref name=sb9798>{{soccerbase season|6332|1997|access-date=8 January 2015}}</ref><ref name=SkySports427/>
|First Division||43||29||2||4||0||0||3{{efn|name=statsFLPO}}||2||48||35
|-
|[[1998–99 Sunderland A.F.C. season|1998–99]]<ref name=sb9899>{{soccerbase season|6332|1998|access-date=8 January 2015}}</ref>
|First Division||26||23||1||0||5||2||colspan="2"|—||32||25
|-
|[[1999–2000 Sunderland A.F.C. season|1999–2000]]<ref name=sb9900>{{soccerbase season|6332|1999|access-date=8 January 2015}}</ref>
|[[Premier League]]||36||30||2||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||38||30
|-
|[[2000–01 Sunderland A.F.C. season|2000–01]]<ref name=sb0001>{{soccerbase season|6332|2000|access-date=8 January 2015}}</ref>
|Premier League||34||14||4||2||4||2||colspan="2"|—||42||18
|-
|[[2001–02 Sunderland A.F.C. season|2001–02]]<ref name=sb0102>{{soccerbase season|6332|2001|access-date=8 January 2015}}</ref>
|Premier League||37||11||1||1||1||1||colspan="2"|—||39||13
|-
|[[2002–03 Sunderland A.F.C. season|2002–03]]<ref name=sb0203>{{soccerbase season|6332|2002|access-date=8 January 2015}}</ref>
|Premier League||32||6||4||3||0||0||colspan="2"|—||36||9
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!208||113||14||10||10||5||3||2||235||130
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]
|[[2003–04 Southampton F.C. season|2003–04]]<ref name=sb0304>{{soccerbase season|6332|2003|access-date=8 January 2015}}</ref><ref name=SkySports427/>
|Premier League||34||12{{efn|According to Soccerbase, Phillips scored 13 Premier League goals for Southampton in the 2003–04 season.<ref name=sb0304/> However, the Premier League,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/players/profile.career-history.html/kevin-phillips |title=Player profile: Kevin Phillips |publisher=Premier League |access-date=8 January 2015 |archive-date=23 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323150628/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/players/profile.career-history.html/kevin-phillips |url-status=dead }}</ref> Southampton F.C.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/Goalscorers/0,,10280~200310280,00.html |title=Club Statistics: 2003/04 Goalscorers |publisher=Southampton F.C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323163711/http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/Goalscorers/0%2C%2C10280~200310280%2C00.html |archive-date=23 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the ''Sky Sports Football Yearbook''<ref name=SkySports427>{{cite book |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2010–2011 |editor1=Rollin, Glenda |editor2=Rollin, Jack |name-list-style=amp |publisher=Headline |location=London |date=2010 |page=427 |isbn=978-0-7553-6107-6}}</ref> give him 12, and both Neil Brown<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/southampton/southampton.html |title=Southampton: 1946/47–2013/14 |work=UK A–Z Transfers |publisher=Neil Brown |access-date=8 January 2015}}</ref> and the 2005–06 ''PFA Footballers Who's Who''<ref name=Hugman200506>{{cite book |editor=Hugman, Barry J. |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2005/2006 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |date=2005 |page=323 |isbn=978-1-85291-662-6}}</ref> have a total of 22, consistent with 12 in 2003–04. This figure is also consistent with the goal scored on 27 March 2010 being, as widely reported, his 250th senior career goal. The discrepancy arises from a disputed goal in Southampton's 3–2 defeat at Old Trafford on 31 January 2004, which was widely credited to [[Brett Ormerod]] but for which Phillips is named as the scorer by Soccerbase.|name=SotonGoal}}||1||0||0||0||2{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||1||37||13
|-
|[[2004–05 Southampton F.C. season|2004–05]]<ref name=sb0405>{{soccerbase season|6332|2004|access-date=8 January 2015}}</ref>
|Premier League||30||10||4||2||2||1||colspan="2"|—||36||13
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!64||22||5||2||2||1||2||1||73||26
|-
|[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]
|[[2005–06 Aston Villa F.C. season|2005–06]]<ref name=sb0506>{{soccerbase season|6332|2005|access-date=8 January 2015}}</ref>
|Premier League||23||4||2||0||2||1||colspan="2"|—||27||5
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]]
|[[2006–07 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season|2006–07]]<ref name=sb0607>{{soccerbase season|6332|2006|access-date=8 January 2015}}</ref>
|[[Football League Championship|Championship]]||36||16||3||3||1||0||3{{efn|Appearances in [[Football League play-offs]]|name=statsFLPO}}||3||43||22
|-
|[[2007–08 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season|2007–08]]<ref name=sb0708>{{soccerbase season|6332|2007|access-date=8 January 2015}}</ref>
|Championship||35||22||3||2||0||0||colspan="2"|—||38||24
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!71||38||6||5||1||0||3||3||81||46
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]
|[[2008–09 Birmingham City F.C. season|2008–09]]<ref name=sb0809>{{soccerbase season|6332|2008|access-date=8 January 2015}}</ref>
|Championship||36||14||0||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||38||14
|-
|[[2009–10 Birmingham City F.C. season|2009–10]]<ref name=sb0910>{{soccerbase season|6332|2009|access-date=8 January 2015}}</ref>
|Premier League||19||4||4||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||24||4
|-
|[[2010–11 Birmingham City F.C. season|2010–11]]<ref name=sb1011>{{soccerbase season|6332|2010|access-date=8 January 2015}}</ref>
|Premier League||14||1||4||2||2||1||colspan="2"|—||20||4
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!69||19||8||2||5||1||colspan="2"|—||82||22
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]
|[[2011–12 Blackpool F.C. season|2011–12]]<ref name=sb1112>{{soccerbase season|6332|2011|access-date=8 January 2015}}</ref>
|Championship||38||16||4||1||0||0||3{{efn|name=statsFLPO}}||0||45||17
|-
|[[2012–13 Blackpool F.C. season|2012–13]]<ref name=sb1213>{{soccerbase season|6332|2012|access-date=8 January 2015}}</ref>
|Championship||18||2||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||19||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!56||18||5||1||0||0||3||0||64||19
|-
|[[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] (loan)
|[[2012–13 Crystal Palace F.C. season|2012–13]]<ref name=sb1213/>
|Championship||14||6||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=statsFLPO}}||1||16||7
|-
|rowspan="2"|Crystal Palace
|[[2013–14 Crystal Palace F.C. season|2013–14]]<ref name=sb1314>{{soccerbase season|6332|2013|access-date=8 January 2015}}</ref>
|Premier League||4||0||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||5||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!18||6||0||0||1||0||2||1||21||7
|-
|[[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]]
|[[2013–14 Leicester City F.C. season|2013–14]]<ref name=sb1314/>
|Championship||12||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||12||2
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!580||246||42||20||23||9||15||7||660||282
|}

{{notelist}}

===International===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ '''Appearances and goals by national team and year'''<ref>{{cite web |last=Courtney |first=Barrie |date=22 May 2014 |title=England – International Results B-Team – Details |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eng-b-intres-det.html |access-date=28 August 2014 |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kevin Phillips – National Football Teams profile |url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/10362/Kevin_Phillips.html |access-date=28 August 2014 |work=National Football Teams}}</ref><ref>{{Englandstats|ref=y|access-date=28 August 2014}}</ref>
|-
!National team
!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[England B national football team|England B]]
|1998
|1
|0
|-
!Total
!1
!0
|-
| rowspan="5" |[[England national football team|England]]
| 1999 || 2 || 0
|-
| 2000 || 4 || 0
|-
| 2001 || 1 || 0
|-
| 2002 || 1 || 0
|-
! Total || 8 || 0
|}

==Managerial statistics==
{{updated|match played 26 October 2024}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
|-
!rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|From
!rowspan="2"|To
!colspan="5"|Record
!rowspan="2"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
!{{abbr|P|Matches played}}!!{{abbr|W|Matches won}}!!{{abbr|D|Matches drawn}}!!{{abbr|L|Matches lost}}!!{{abbr|Win %|Win percentage}}
|-
|align="left"|[[South Shields F.C.|South Shields]]
|align="left"|16 January 2022
|align="left"|22 April 2023
{{WDL|69|40|14|15|decimals=1}}
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://southshieldsfc.co.uk/calendar/results/ |title=Results - South Shields Football Club |website=South Shields FC |date=7 March 2022 |access-date=7 March 2022 |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307134513/https://southshieldsfc.co.uk/calendar/results/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool United]]
|align="left"|24 January 2024
|align="left"|27 April 2024
{{WDL|16|7|5|4|decimals=1}}
|
|-
|align="left"|[[AFC Fylde]]
|align="left"|8 October 2024
|align="left"|Present
{{WDL|4|1|0|3|decimals=1}}
|
|-
!colspan="3"|Total
{{WDLtot|89|48|19|22|decimals=1}}
!—
|}

==Honours==
===As a player===

'''Sunderland'''
*[[Football League First Division]]: [[1998–99 Football League First Division|1998–99]]<ref name=Statto9899/>

'''West Bromwich Albion'''
*[[Football League Championship]]: [[2007–08 Football League Championship|2007–08]]<ref name=WBA0708/>

'''Birmingham City'''
*[[Football League Cup]]: [[2010–11 Football League Cup|2010–11]]<ref name=LgeCup2011/>
*Football League Championship runner-up: [[2008–09 Football League Championship|2008–09]]<ref name=BCFCfuture/>

'''Crystal Palace'''
*[[Football League Championship play-offs]]: [[2013 Football League play-offs#Championship|2013]]<ref name=Playoff2013/>

'''Leicester City'''
*Football League Championship: [[2013–14 Football League Championship|2013–14]]<ref name=LCFC2014/>

'''Individual'''
*[[Football League First Division]] top scorer: [[1997–98 Football League|1997–98]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engtops.html |title=Premier League & Football League Div 1 Leading Goalscorers 1993–2004 |first=James M. |last=Ross |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF) |date=5 June 2014 |access-date=24 March 2015}}</ref>
*[[European Golden Shoe]]: 1999–2000<ref name=Shoe/>
*[[Premier League Golden Boot]]: [[1999–2000 FA Premier League|1999–2000]]<ref name=PremProfile>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/1768/Kevin-Phillips/overview |title=Kevin Phillips: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=28 September 2018}}</ref>
*[[Premier League Player of the Season|Premier League Player of the Year]]: 1999–2000<ref name=PremProfile/>
*[[PFA Team of the Year]]: [[PFA Team of the Year (2000s)#FA Premier League|1999–2000 Premier League]], [[PFA Team of the Year (2000s)#2007–08|2007–08 Championship]]
*[[Football Writers' Association|North-East FWA Player of the Year]]: 2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://footballwriters.co.uk/editorial/saint-maximin-voted-north-east-fwa-player-of-the-year/|title=Saint-Maximin voted North-East FWA Player of the Year|website=footballwriters.co.uk|date=13 January 2022|accessdate=30 August 2022}}</ref>
*[[Football League Awards|Football League Championship Player of the Year]]: [[Football League Awards#2008 Awards|2007–08]]<ref name=PotY2008/>
*[[FourFourTwo]] 50 Best Football League Players 2008: 1st<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwo-50-best-football-league-players |title=FourFourTwo 50 Best Football League Players |magazine=[[FourFourTwo]] |date=2 March 2008 |access-date=4 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104125954/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwo-50-best-football-league-players |archive-date=4 November 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===As a manager===
'''South Shields'''
*[[Northern Premier League]]: [[2022–23 Northern Premier League|2022–23]]<ref name=ShieldsNPLTitle/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{Soccerbase}}
*{{Englandstats}}
*{{England Football Online}}

{{AFC Fylde squad}}
{{National League managers}}
{{Hartlepool United F.C. managers}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 = 
{{1999–2000 Premier League Team of the Year}}
{{2007-08 Football League Championship Team of the Year}}
{{Football League Championship top scorers}}
{{Premier League Golden Boot}}
{{European Golden Shoe}}
{{Premier League Player of the Season}}
{{Football League Championship Player of the Year}}
{{Sunderland A.F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{West Bromwich Albion F.C. Player of the Season}}
}}
{{England squad UEFA Euro 2000}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Phillips, Kevin}}
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Hitchin]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:English men's footballers]]
[[Category:England men's B international footballers]]
[[Category:England men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Southampton F.C. players]]
[[Category:Baldock Town F.C. players]]
[[Category:Watford F.C. players]]
[[Category:Sunderland A.F.C. players]]
[[Category:Aston Villa F.C. players]]
[[Category:West Bromwich Albion F.C. players]]
[[Category:Birmingham City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Blackpool F.C. players]]
[[Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:First Division/Premier League top scorers]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2000 players]]
[[Category:Leicester City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Leicester City F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Derby County F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Stoke City F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Association football coaches]]
[[Category:English football managers]]
[[Category:South Shields F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Hartlepool United F.C. managers]]
[[Category:AFC Fylde managers]]
[[Category:Northern Premier League managers]]
[[Category:National League (English football) managers]]