James Milner, the ultimate professional and a cornerstone of Jürgen Klopp’s trophy-laden era at Liverpool, has officially confirmed his retirement from professional football at the age of 40. Now, former Reds assistant manager Sammy Lee has thrown his weight behind a potential Anfield return for the veteran.
While he may not have always been the flashiest name on the team sheet, Milner’s reliability and elite mentality made him indispensable. Alongside captain Jordan Henderson, he anchored a dressing room culture that propelled the Reds to Champions League glory and a historic Premier League title.
The uncompromising standards Milner set daily are widely regarded as the catalyst for Liverpool’s ascent to the summit of English and European football.
Speaking exclusively with Redmen TV, a former Liverpool player and assistant manager, Sammy Lee, believes Milner can make a comeback. With Andoni Iraola’s appointment, he will be looking for new members of staff at the club. The AXA training centre is familiar with the 40-year-old, and so are his standards.
Lee on Milner becoming a coach
Milner is notorious for his leadership qualities for every single manager he has played under. That stands him in good stead for making that step into coaching or management. Liverpool failed last season following their £450 million transfer spending spree as they finished fifth. They lacked a real leader in their squad at times, to pull them through the tough periods they endured on the pitch.
When Lee was part of the England youth setup, Milner was involved in the squad, where he showcased that special quality. The Scouser claims that the 40-year-old was challenging, which made him a top professional. In an interview with Redmen TV, he said,
“I know Millie from a player when I was with England under 21s. He’s a very demanding professional, which is great for me because he tests me all the time. He tested me all the time, which I loved.”
While he doesn’t want to make suggestions for who should be involved in Iraola’s team, he believes Milner would be a valuable asset. With how he was as a player at Anfield, a figure that demanded perfection would be ideal under a new coach.
“It’s not for me to pick Andoni’s backroom staff, far from it, but you’ve asked me the question. I think certainly I’d love something like Millie because, as I say to you, he drives standards on and off the pitch.
“I think Millie would, would be a great addition.
“The likes of Milly, they drove, they drove if you like, the ethos, they drove the, the philosophy. They drove the culture.”
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Liverpool coaching culture
The success Liverpool have endured since the days of Bill Shankly in the early 1960s, all the way through to the end of the 1980s, was built through the famous ‘Boot Room’.
The familiarity the staff and players had with each other certainly had an impact on the field. Football has changed in many ways, though there are still individuals who understand the culture of football. Milner is one who completely gets what Liverpool is about.
The pressure will be on Iraola from day one, with the pressure that comes with the hot seat at Anfield. It’s not just directly about the results, but the style that the fans can resonate with and fully support. In doing that, it feels there needs to be a figure that can spur the side forward.
The Spaniard can do that, or he wouldn’t have got the role. However, a recognisable figure who can support the structure would be a helpful hand, something Milner could elevate.
