Ex-hooligan and football coach Mark Phillips has shared a light-hearted moment involving , who supposedly teased about a comeback to after his switch to .

Phillips shed light on the matter during the Eventful Lives podcast with Dodge Woodall, providing insights into Rice's affection for the Hammers despite his £105million transfer to Arsenal in 2023. While he left behind some disappointed West Ham supporters, Phillips pointed out that there's more to fans' mixed reactions.

He said: "To me and you, West Ham... there's no bigger club in the world. There's no bigger club in the world and I truly believe that. He's left our club and gone to another club, so it's just for a little bit of that.

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"A little bit of spite, a little bit of jealousy, a little bit everything else. But I'll defend him to the hill, and I would do, and his family. They're terrific people.

"I've even been to one Arsenal game and sat in his box, in a European game. And all he wants to know about when I see him, is what's happening at West Ham. 'What's happening?' It's all about [West Ham], you know."

Phillips also shared a light-hearted moment about Rice's affection for West Ham, revealing that he may one day return to the club. He said: "West Ham is his club. He said to me... he actually said, 'I'll come back when I'm...' I said, 'We won't want you.'"

After sharing a chuckle, Woodall then asked Phillips if Rice may be serious about a return to West Ham down the line, to which, he replied: "I can't say that for certain. If everything is right and it's aligned, yeah.

"I mean, he'd get stick for the first game, then he'll score a 30-yarder and everyone forgets their stick don't they?"

Rice, who has been with Arsenal for two seasons, has a contract until 2028, which includes an option for an additional year, potentially keeping him at the club until he's 30, reports .

During his time at the Emirates, Rice has made a significant impact, contributing 15 goals and 20 assists in 100 appearances under guidance.

However, he's set for a test of mental and physical resilience as he prepares to take on PSG in the semi-final second leg on Wednesday evening. The midfielder, who celebrated his last game with West Ham by lifting the trophy after a 2-1 victory over Fiorentina in Prague, will be aiming to overturn a 1-0 deficit at the Parc des Princes and secure his first-ever appearance in a Champions League final with the Gunners.

Phillips, boasting nearly two decades of coaching experience, has been integral to West Ham's Player Development Programme for nine years. His past includes affiliation with the infamous Inter City Firm, where he was an ardent supporter of the Hammers from the stands.

Reflecting on his association with the ICF, Phillips said: "They love football, and they love West Ham more than anything. They really do. So it's like, 'Oh, these people don't know what they're doing...'

"They love the game, they follow West Ham everywhere, follow England everywhere. They love football more than most people do. It was their whole lives."

He added: "The same with me, I just love the game of football, and that's how I got involved. Football has always been my main love, and still is now."