Premier League

Strolling into ’s Elite Soccer Efficiency Centre, I used to be swiftly approached by a member of the membership’s communications crew. “Have you ever acquired the frames?” he requested this bemused author, who solely had his cellphone, laptop computer and notepad with him. It seems he was after a unique Will; not from The Unbiased, however from Guinness World Data. We have been each right here for .

For Milner, his record-breaking 654th look was simply one other recreation. “Large victory on the street, delighted for the boys and travelling followers, thanks for the assist,” learn his very extraordinary Instagram publish, with the feedback restricted, after . No self-congratulations, no fuss. It was very run-of-the-Milner.

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The 40-year-old had his priorities straight. “I’ve at all times simply tried to get on with my job and maintain my head down actually,” Milner stated, mockingly surrounded by journalists – and the aforementioned GWR dignitary, adorned within the trademark blue blazer and tie – who had all congregated on the south coast to debate his outstanding milestone. “I do know clearly there’s been quite a lot of speak round this form of factor, however for me, I simply wish to do my job and [was] particularly happy to get the win, that was so essential for us on the weekend. So to contribute to that, that’s at all times primary.”

Milner receives three Guinness World Data after notching his 654th Premier League look (Brighton & Hove Albion)

After all, Milner meant no disrespect and emphasised he was extremely grateful for the tidal wave of congratulations that had come his manner. “I’ve had so many superb messages, you wish to thank folks and there’s good posts just like the golf equipment have carried out,” he pressured. But it surely was , the person whose document Milner had surpassed, who appeared to essentially get the “no biggie” vibe.

“He despatched me a message after the sport after which it was his birthday yesterday, so I despatched him a message saying completely satisfied birthday,” Milner stated. “He simply stated congrats, and he stated he’s going away and {golfing} someplace, in order that sounded good to me.”

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You don’t get many soccer bingo playing cards extra crammed out than Milner’s (and that’s not a quip at his age).

Throughout a Premier League profession that has spanned 23 years, 109 days and counting, the Englishman has gained each trophy beneath the solar, together with three Premier League titles and one Champions League throughout his glory-laden stints with and . He even has an Intertoto Cup to his title with Newcastle.

James Milner has gained each trophy beneath the solar, together with a Champions League title with Liverpool in 2019 (Getty)

He’s been deployed in each outfield place doable. “I’d say I wanted goalkeeper to play each single one,” he joked.

Milner collected three framed world data on the day of our go to: one for many Premier League appearances (654), one other for longest time between first and final Premier League purpose (22 years and 248 days), and a 3rd for many consecutive Premier League seasons of any participant (24). He’ll get a fourth in 217 days, on the time of writing, if he surpasses Teddy Sheringham because the oldest outfield participant in Premier League historical past. However whereas that field stays one of many few unmarked, so does one other: retirement.

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“I believe issues change in a short time in soccer, and I believe once you get to my age, issues change in a short time as nicely,” Milner admitted when requested if he will likely be round lengthy sufficient to develop into the highest flight’s eldest ever statesman.

“Once I have a look at the place I used to be final 12 months, not having the ability to raise my foot for six months, to the place I’m this 12 months, it’s simpler to show round and say, ‘Sure, I would like to do one other 12 months.’

“I’m fairly open at this second in time – whether or not I’ll or whether or not I gained’t, I’m undecided. We haven’t had any conversations, so clearly the membership must have an interest as nicely. It’s all proper me saying I wish to play one other 12 months if the membership don’t need you.”

Whether or not it’s ultimately, and whether or not it’s his resolution to make or Brighton’s, Milner is beneath no illusions: “I do know the tip’s getting nearer.” The veteran, nonetheless, asserts that he doesn’t “concern” retirement, even when the query of “when’s the fitting time?” does play on his thoughts. “I really feel like I nonetheless can do it now, however do you go to the purpose the place you may’t? Is that too lengthy?”

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As such, Milner is within the thick of contemplating his life after soccer, all whereas preserving a chunk of recommendation from former boss at the back of his thoughts. “Jurgen at all times stated, everytime you end, it’s good to have a relaxation and a break immediately,” he mirrored. “I believe that’s fairly interesting at this second in time.”

Jurgen Klopp has suggested Milner to take a break when he hangs up the boots (PA Wire)

The workhorse deserves his break, however figuring out his character, it should solely final so lengthy.

“I believe most individuals say you miss the construction and what you’re coaching for daily. You’re going within the gymnasium and it’s laborious, it’s for a cause, it’s for the following recreation and issues like that,” Milner stated with a way of pre-emptive nostalgia, earlier than reassuring that his world-class engine won’t be detuned in retirement.

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“Once you haven’t acquired that, I believe I’d in all probability look in direction of doing marathons or one thing like that to provide me one thing to go for once more.”

Milner says he’ll ‘in all probability look in direction of doing marathons’ as soon as he retires (Getty)

Milner will depart soccer with arguably essentially the most fabled work ethic within the English recreation. At Liverpool, the yearly pre-season lactate check beneath Klopp – which tasked gamers with doing laps of their coaching floor – , having gained it at a canter for each season he was at Anfield, even into his mid-thirties.

He boasts longevity that with the fashionable fixture schedule will likely be nigh-on not possible to copy, fuelled by a drive to show his doubters improper – one thing his dad used to play on.

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“He knew what I used to be like and he used to say, ‘you do not work laborious sufficient, you are not gonna make it’,” Milner remembered. “He knew what he was doing and it [his drive] in all probability comes from that, to be truthful.

“He’d by no means say it in a horrible manner or something like that, however he knew what I used to be like, and he’d be like, ‘you’ve acquired no likelihood of scoring the purpose from there’, after which like two photographs later it’s within the high nook. He knew tips on how to get the very best of me.”

Silencing the sceptics is a part of the explanation Milner continues to be going in the present day. “Some issues don’t change,” he laughs.

Milner has been motivated from childhood to show folks improper (Peter Tarry/PA Wire)

It’s that burning want to push himself that has him now pondering a profession in administration. Milner has been incomes his teaching badges however is aware of the hellfire that the job can pose.

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“There are some occasions I believe it’d be nice and I’d like to put my stamp on a crew, and I believe I might do that and that,” he says. “But it surely’s such a tough gig, isn’t it? It’s so laborious. Even the quantity of press you’ve acquired to do to be trustworthy – press convention earlier than the sport, after the sport, like eight occasions per week.

“It’s one which the aggressive man in you thinks, ‘yeah, I wouldn’t thoughts giving {that a} go and taking up’. I do know it’s troublesome however… and I really feel like I’ve acquired a implausible information of individuals I’ve labored beneath, from again to your Terry Venables and your Sir Bobby Robsons, and you then undergo to the present supervisor now.

Milner made his Premier League debut beneath the legendary Terry Venables at Leeds (Getty)

“I’ve acquired an important array of various managers from completely different nations and completely different personalities to lean again on, so in a technique I believe it’d be an enormous disgrace to lose all that information and expertise I’ve constructed up, to not have the ability to use that.”

There aren’t any ensures on subsequent steps from Milner, who needs to concentrate on the current. However extremely, his profession might but be charged with some footballing firsts.