Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I’ll be boss but not yet, says Milner
JAMES MILNER wants to be a manager – but the Liverpool midfielder won’t be taking his eye off the ball just yet.
At 34, Milner is running as far and fast as ever. And when he reported back for training after lockdown he was also jumping 10 centimetres higher than usual, for good measure.
So, while the former England international admits it will be a shame if he doesn’t pass on the experience he has gained under managers Jurgen Klopp, Sir Bobby Robson, Terry Venables and Roberto Mancini, he will leave his coaching badges until he has hung up his boots.
Having just won his third Premier League medal, Milner said: “It would be a waste to move out of football with how lucky I have been.
“The people I’ve worked with, the players I’ve played with and the knowledge I’ve been able to gain should be shared to help others. But it’s about getting the balance right.”
Milner signed a contract extension last December that will keep him with the Reds for another two seasons.
He added: “Doing your coaching badges takes time and it’s important that I don’t take my eye off being a player.
“You are a long time retired, so, while coaching is something I am looking at, I would never want it to detract from what I’m still doing on the pitch.”