James Milner: Record Breaker 

26:00WHOOP helps you see how sleep, recovery and stress are impacting your overall health over time. It's like a health scout working quietly in the background. No screed, no constant pings, just deeper insight into your health when you actually need it. WHOOP makes it easier to see what's helping you stay well and what's taking more out of you so So you can build habits that actually last. It's about keeping yourself steady over the long run. Consistency beats intensity every time. If you want to understand your health better and how your daily habits impact you over time, head to join.whoop.com slash T-R-I-F to get started with Whoop.

26:44This segment is brought to you by Specsavers Best Worst Team, the series that takes the worst football team in the country and tries to turn their fortunes around on and off the pitch. This year, it's Wally FC in Brentwood who picked up just four points in the league last season. Mike is now assistant manager. Fewer studio lights, more cones. They won his first game in charge. But since then, results have been somewhat inconsistent. In the end, it came down to fitness. So he's called someone up who doesn't let standards slip, a certain James Milner. And here is James. What's it like coaching at that level, having played 23 years in the Premier League?

27:30Yeah, it's different. My session was more about fitness. That's what me required. I was the one who did. I tried to tell the boys it was his idea because obviously if you're coming in and The first thing you have them do is like a bleep test and stuff like that. You're not going to be their favourite coach, are you? We had fun, though, and at that level, I think. Were they responsive? Yeah, they had a good go, to be fair, the majority. A few faked a hamstring pretty early and stuff like that. Did they end up throwing one in? Yeah, to be fair, I think he actually had a hammer, but a few went quite deep, and we did a shooting session press-up challenge and stuff, and I think that was probably the biggest wins at that level.

28:06Do you think they were quite surprised at the difference between your level of fitness and theirs? no I think I think they know I think they know you know when they're going out and having a kebab at four at morning not before a game they know the prep isn't the best and they're just having fun with it really but I think that they know they can have those gains if they want them but you know it's about enjoying it weren't you of them eager though to learn they had to go like I say we did the press up challenge a few a few completed it we did a bleep test and one lad did particularly well we did some shooting do you know what there's some quality in terms of the crossing and stuff they're putting there's some really good balls and some good finishes and then you get the other end spectrum they surprise you that way and then on the other end spectrum they keep going over the fence and they've got to run around and get them because they've only got so many balls and stuff and the manager's going mad but it was good fun and a good bunch When or maybe I should say if you hang your Premier League boots up would you fancy a game for Warley?

29:03Yeah I think so I don't know Do you think you get in the team? I don't know I'd have to maybe obviously earn the right and if it's a bleak test session hopefully I'd be able to do that but yeah we'll see and sounds like the nights out are pretty eventful so it might be good fun to go on one of them afterwards as well Sounds good That's Specsavers best worst team fitness isn't just running harder it's staying switched on when it matters Mike Accord on James Milner to put Wally through their paces as they prepared to take on angry gingers Winton United find out if it paid off by searching Specsavers best worst team on YouTube

29:41Welcome back to The Rest is Football with me, Gary Lenica, and James Milner, who's joined me in my kitchen today. James, we've talked about how long your career was, and it did start Leeds. Was that the club you sported as a lad? Yeah, it was. And like you just said before about England winning a World Cup, I remember my dad throwing me around the living room when Leeds won the league title, 91-92. And he said, enjoy it, it might be the only time you ever see it. And unfortunately, it's been right up to this point. that season I played against them yeah yeah and you'll know Leeds is like it's a great place to play football and so after that we got a season ticket and started started going to the games and then ended up at the academy and ball boy and things like that so it was always my team how do you find Terry Vernon was because I mean I'd actually forgotten that he went to Leeds I think he went to Middlesbrough as well at one point didn't he so I mean he was I mean I loved him but what was a young man still he was unbelievable I think to because we weren't flying at the time so to have the confidence to believe in a 16-year-old and put me in.

30:42I remember he put me in and he used to tell me to keep working on my technique because obviously you're not in the academy now. So, you know, do that work on the afternoon and little nuggets of advice and little things in your position and how he handled me. I remember playing a couple of games and then we were playing Spurs away, actually, at White Hart Lane and he pulled me in the day before we travelled and said, you haven't done anything wrong. You're not going to be playing. I just don't want to thrust you in too soon. I said, fine. Went out training. someone got injured travelled travelled wasn't on the bench someone got injured in the warm up ended up being on the bench getting on assisting a goal I did quite well and then from that point I was in but leaving that management and awareness of doing that but then I had that look that I kept in Yeah you got something about you and you had the record at that point that Max Downers just got of scoring of being the youngest player ever to score Yeah well I remember Wazza doing it just before and then he came to Ellen Road and I was in the squad but I wasn't on the bench and I remember sitting next to the fitness coach, Steve McGregor, and he scored a great goal at Ellen Road as well, just after, and he could see me and he was like, you're desperate to get involved here.

31:44He could cope a bit. He won bad, so he wasn't bad. And he obviously just blew up, and then I got my chance and scored a couple of goals around that Christmas and, yeah, just nicked it off him by a few days or something, I think it was. I read something as well when I was looking, that by the time you were 23, you'd played for 13 different managers as they were then rather than coaches. That's bonkers. Yeah, and you've got to grow up quick and you learn a lot about football. I think it was Martin O 'Neill was the first time I started and finished a season with the same manager. And that was probably what?

32:18Yeah, and that was what, six years into my career. So you're probably bang on. Martin's a character. I've worked with him a lot on television. I mean, what a great guy. I don't know if you're speaking to me yet. Great storyteller. Yeah, I love playing for Martin. He was so good for me and gave me that confidence and pushed me into the middle of the park. and I love playing for Martin yeah and you know I think he got the ump with me a bit when I left and went to Man City but hopefully he's alright with me now we'll come to Man City in a bit but I want to pop back to Newcastle because Bobby Robson as well another former England manager I mean what a man obviously a legend at that particular football club and English football I would say as well much loved how was Bobby with you?

33:00incredible I mean I just felt unfortunate for him and Terry not to work with him for longer I think so Bobby got sacked probably two or three games into that season no start the first couple of games but just that time with him straight away and even like him and so similar how the after training they'd take you over and you'd do a little thing and set it up with players in your position and you'd receive and they're like you're going to get the ball here and you know your options left foot around the corner into the front man and follow it all this and just create the pictures and patterns that you're going to get in the games and just knew what you needed like little tips about crossing and things like that and you don't get that as much now like when I'm watching like coaches and stuff it's a lot about the team and things like that Is it a bit more robotic do you think now possibly?

33:42I mean you've lived the last two decades playing It's changed a lot I feel like maybe that individual I feel when you get to the first team you're expected to know how to play and I suppose with young players coming in you know little technique things and little patterns and it's all obviously videos and drones in training and seeing it on videos and stuff but sometimes There weren't many of them around Yeah exactly Yeah, now it's like, you know, there you're like feeling it. They use drones, do they? Yeah, we've got drones up, yeah, and different angles. So they've got fixed cameras, then you've got a drone so they can see it from a different angle.

34:15No bloody hiding place now, is there? For sure, no. So, yeah, and the airport's right next to our training ground as well, so they've got to be careful. Oh, crikey. But, yeah, yeah, they've got it all, and then it's clipped, and they can do a meeting straight after training of your training session you've just done. so it's great but you know football isn't always you know they can freeze frame it and say you should have done this at the moment and it's like well yeah but my touch wasn't great I had a bobble or I've got 0.3 of a second to react on this and you're freeze framing it with a space bar and looking at the whole picture it's a lot easier that way yeah exactly it's actually happening in real time yeah there's advantages and disadvantages you know and I'm sure you find it easier like sat in the studio and watching stuff and then afterwards you think when you're playing you know you've got a split second to get your shot off or you haven't even been able to glance where the goal is.

35:03Of course. You know, a goal scorer's like yourself. The goal never moves, does it? Well, the goal doesn't move, but... Yeah, the goal, yeah. Well, some goal scorer's don't move, actually. Well, talking of one of those, Alan Shearer, who co-hosts this podcast, this is Mike, who both played with him, of course. Spill the dirt on him, please. Which one? Well, let's start with Al. No, I mean, Al, Al, when I went in, you know, He was a hero of mine really as well. Growing up and watching Euro 96 and that was a massive tournament in England and being an England fan and going up to Newcastle and the personalities that were in that dressing room at the time and him and Speedo, Shea Given and people like that.

35:50I remember going on pre-season tour to the Far East and sheer Romania. It was just like people all over waiting for him. And how he dealt with that was an eye on it for me. And like the first time you've been abroad and seen the hype and how he dealt with that expectation and pressure and polite to everyone and things like that. I think that was a good lesson for me in terms of that. And then, you know, he was coming tomorrow to the end of his career when I got up there, but, you know, watching him finishing and doing his own pre-season, that's the one I always remember. Like we were running and we used to do beach, we used to do forest runs and we used to do runs at the training ground.

36:27He didn't like long runs. he didn't do him he just trotted around pitch with the physio like terrible example one mile an hour and then when the balls come out because the balls didn't come out for the first two weeks did they so about a couple of weeks before the first game he'd come out and start bang goals and that was it smashing them in yeah I mean that's modification now and you see that all the time now but that was how he did it did you think a young player would get away with that well he was not a young player he was an old player I mean I think he earned that right I think he earned that right to be honest I haven't got a lot on him to be fair other than not doing pre-season but at his age.

37:00No, that'll do. Unfortunately, I share that with you. I suck up. And when you get older, we all end up doing that. No, exactly. Manchester City, that was when it all kind of really started happening at City, wasn't it? That change, you supposedly saw it through to its, not to its complete conclusion, but you were at the start of it. Could you see things that were going to change and going to happen? Yeah, I mean, for sure. I think at that point, I had a chance of going to Chelsea maybe I think didn't you? you had the choice between the two? yeah why did you choose City? because of what you just said I feel like Chelsea had been successful and won trophies and Man City had done for a very long time and I thought you know it'd be great to start that and be part of that and win trophies there and yeah that was the main decision really and went there and was fortunate enough to be part of you know the first one the FA Cup was huge winning that I think then you know what it's like when you win a trophy together and it gives you that confidence and that's the platform then for everything that comes after that.

38:01But you have to get over the line on that first one. And the semi-final was a huge game against United, I think. And then scraped past Stoke in the final and got that first trophy. And then after that, it was away and running. But yeah, you could see. What was it like when you first joined? I remember talking to Vincent Kompany about this and he said they didn't even have a coffee machine. He said it was like, it was completely. And it's been absolutely made into this football. I think obviously still at Carrington and they were making the best of that scenario, making it as good as they could.

38:30But obviously it wasn't like the training ground they have now. And you've got£30 million players coming in through the door every opportunity and competition for places. And then, you know, the success on the pitch grows and you get the new training ground and you see things. And they've always tried to do things, obviously, with the ground and the development around the stadium and that area and the training ground. And, you know, then they buy the New York City Football Club and you're involved in the launch of that. and we went over and did the launch in that. So you just see it grow bit by bit and how they did things.

39:00And it was exciting and tough at the same time. Like you say, you know, every single window, there's going to be players coming in and they're not getting them for free. They're getting them for a big chunk of money and they're going to start and, you know, you're under pressure to perform. Who were the players that you just loved playing with that they brought in over those years? I mean, David, I think, the one that stands out for me. David, Carlos, when I got that incredible, Carlos Tevez. Sergio Aguero I mean there was one season I remember him starting the season like unbelievable I'm sure he'd have scored 50-60 goals that year for the state fit he had injuries but how he started the season he was another one that wasn't necessarily a great trainer like I said awful yeah awful didn't even tie his boots I don't think just strolled out like but I can't get my head around how someone can train like that and then on a match day how sharp he was like how quick he was to turn and he's finishing it was incredible but yeah he was I mean him he was incredible Vinny I mean Meeks we had a we had a great core we had a great core of you know heart he was there Vinny was brilliant captain so organised no surprise how he's doing as a manager and Meeks obviously you know I mean we do know what he's like to a degree what was the young Michael Richards like lively energetic I said the young one oh no that is the same took a while to get back I know that I just used to get the ball on the wing and I'd do this, Mills, I'm coming!

40:26And it'd be like a steam train down outside and I'd slide him in. And he used to do this cross where he crossed it and then flew himself off the, onto the floor for whatever it is, like a swan dive. So then what did I have to do? Obviously I'd trap back and fill in for him and like two minutes later he'd drop back and get me, Meeks, you all right now? Yeah, I'm good. All right, thanks. I'll go back into my position now. Did his hard yards for him, yeah. Yeah. I mean, fullbacks are supposed to be the people that do that. Yeah. When he overlapped or in the air he was unstoppable. I mean, I played in the game I think where he scored I was at Villa and he scored his first goal and he swore twice in his interview.

41:01Oh, in the interview. Yeah, I was on the line I think I was on the line I think when he added it in but yeah, he dropped the F-bomb a couple of times but yeah, we had great fun. Like Meex is such a great guy and loved playing with him. Like I say, he was unstoppable if you could just fill in for his rest periods. He was great to play with. A few nights out with him or did you try and avoid that at all at all? I would imagine. Yeah, I don't remember him drinking loads on a night out because I think he knew he could get a bit out of hand. But, you know, I was normally the one not drinking so I could look after the boys.

41:32Heart, it was always great value as well in the dressing room. But on a night as well, just kept everyone involved, didn't matter who it was. And I think that's why David Silva fit in so well as well. I remember we were in LA, I think, on pre-season and he joined in with the boys. Couldn't speak a lot of English, but he just sat there and maybe have a siesta. if all boys were together have a little siesta and they'd get involved again couldn't understand a lot what was going on but then as his English got there he likes the beer yeah and the amazing thing with him was like he'd chop through four guys and make a pass through the eye of a needle and make an assist and he'd come after the game and he'd say to me and hi did you see my tackle I was like what and all he was bothered about is like a shoulder to shoulder or a tackle he'd put in and he was like yeah I won my battle that just shows you these incredibly talented technical Spanish players they just want to be like us well that's the thing And he just showed he's one of the guys.

42:22He wanted to and he was like did you see him attacking? No, I saw you absolutely running the show but great lad as well but what a player so I was hoping Meech was going to be here actually because it goes back a long way so on my 17th birthday we played Arsenal at Ellen Road and I loved Henri you know at that time he's probably one of the best players the Premier League's seen for me he was incredible I'd ever seen them he gave me his shirt his yellow away shirt from that game. And then at some point in the house mood and stuff, I always wanted to, the house ended up getting framed. So I've got them all framed.

42:56And in moves or whatever it is, or someone's taking it, but this shirt's gone missing. So it must be five, five years ago, at least I said to me, because he works with him all the time, so do us a favor. Told him the story, says, would you mind getting another Thierry shirt for me? It's like, yeah, not a problem, not a problem. Still haven't got it. Messaged him millions of times. He claims to be Thierry's best mate. You see what I'm saying? I don't think he speaks to him, yeah. They just work together on CBS. Yeah, I don't think he speaks to him. That's all it is. And he sent me voice notes. I'm sending him a message saying, oh, is that shirt in the post?

43:30And he'll send me a voice note guffawing down the phone. You're listening to him on training and everyone turns around and looks at you. Micah, get it done. Any chance, mate. I found a quote from Micah actually talking about you. He said, there were times that season at the early days when things were not going well. He said, James, was one of the people who kept us going. Leader. Do you feel like you're a leader? I mean, I would say watching you. Yeah. Setting an example for sure. I feel probably the last 10 years or so, for sure, I feel like it myself. But there's been things said and stories told recently where I've forgotten it or didn't really realise it when I was a bit younger, when you first got in the city when you're at Villa and stuff like that and I was still a young player there so in your own head but when you think about I was fortunate that started at 16 by the time you're 23 you've played 7 years so if you come through at 21 you're 28 you're a senior player I was 23 when I was a senior player so I suppose that probably helped and you know you try and set examples and things like that I remember having to hold Mika back with a fight with Mario on one occasion you know when he goes he's quite strong so he takes something I tell you, but yeah, it takes some stopping.

44:48But yeah, when you get older and you see your role and you're thinking more about the team than yourself necessarily and that probably at City, I think like I said, Vinny was such a good example and you had Gareth Barron and people like that, like great lads and you always try and learn. Did you say to Gareth, one day I'm going to beat your record? No. To be fair, we haven't set it by then either. And Gazi's one of those players like unless you watch him and seeing him play week in week out I don't think Who's a better player? Never mind the amount of appearances who's the better yeah you're too modest you're too modest do you think so?

45:22Yeah he was we're completely different players we're different players but I think Can I read you a quote about you from which I love this quote from Manuel Pellegrini who was manager obviously for you at City he said show me another who does all the things that Milner does well there isn't one it's very difficult to find another Milner an intelligent player with big balls and a massive heart. You speak Spanish, don't you? Yeah, a little. Cojones grandes. Cojones grandes. I did read that you learnt Spanish. Yeah. But you didn't play in Spain or anything like that. I did, so I had to. And you've done it so you can teach your kids?

46:03I mean, it wasn't because of that. It was a city, really. I used to sit on a table with Hay, Zabaleta and David. And I've got a place in Spain. and I thought it was impressive when people could speak different languages. So I got a teacher and learned. And then it was good for me to speak to the Spanish guys. And every time we got a new signing, it was great for me to practice, but also help them have another person to help settle in, really. ¿Hablas bien? Puedo hablar un poco, sí. Muy bien. Necesito practicar más, pero sí. Vamos a hacer toda la entrevista en español. Podemos intentar. Quizás no.

46:38But great stuff. you obviously played Pellegrini and Mancini they were probably opposites actually very opposite people yeah completely opposite one very explosive emotional the other one was a lot more calm methodical how he did things both managed to win a title so yeah I mean you know the one obviously with the Aguero if you wrote a movie plot and you said this is what's going to happen you'd be like nah that's not going to happen it's not realistic rewrite it was that the most euphoric feeling imaginable on a football pitch you know what it's like when you lose a cup final it's bad enough and it's a one-off game to win a league title you have to be the best the best team always wins a league regardless 38 games home and away injuries suspensions ups and downs the best team always wins it so you think how bad it is to lose a cup final a one-off game to throw away a whole season in a home game you should probably win and do all the work we'd done to get to that point where you know we were flying then we had a slip in January and then I think United slipped up at home in a game and we were on a bus going somewhere and Collar kept saying they've scored again I think it was Everton I think it was Everton they came from foot one down or something and then we had to beat United and we beat them and then we had to win the last five or six games or something like that and you've done all that work and you get to the last stepping stone to fail and then you go into injury time and to score two from being that low to that high.

48:10It was done. Yeah, it was incredible. I mean, that low to that high in three minutes. Yeah. The feeling, yeah, indescribable. Yeah. It was probably as much relief as anything else that not blowing it, wasn't it? Yeah, 100 % at that point. The thing like you say, yeah, we've done all this work, amazing comeback after the results and then to be that close. But yeah, I would say relief was a massive part of it. But yeah, I mean, that's the moments you love about football. thank God we didn't have VAR because, you know, imagine waiting on a VAR check or something. You're on VAR. We don't very often get the chance to talk to current players about VAR.

48:47Yeah. Is it as frustrating for you as it is for fans and people like myself who love the game forever? If you want me to be fully honest, I absolutely hate it. I hate it. I think nearly everyone's with you. Well, I ask a lot of the players as well, and I'd love a vote because I'd love to know how many current players, if you've heard fans and players who actually keep it I think players have asked very very few you know look across at the linesman and is his flag up or down no it's a goal and you know you think some of the amazing moments like that imagine with it imagine oh we need to look at it and you go in the whole ground yeah football's an emotional game if referees a referee in the game like the humans they're going to make mistakes players make mistakes managers make mistakes they all make mistakes exactly and they're still making mistakes when you're looking at and slowing it down so just let it happen a lot of decisions that's my opinion I think it'd be a better better game and you watch the championship now when it doesn't have it and FA Cup ties and the flow of the game and the excitement it just feels better for me that's my opinion Liverpool how did that come about?

49:53yeah it was one of those where I wanted to stay at Man City yeah no thought of leaving obviously why would you and you know we talked about a new contract and you know it didn't come the offer didn't come for quite a while and then when it came it was a pay cutting effect. Did you feel like they weren't 100 % behind you? That's the feeling I got, really, until the very end. Did that hurt a bit? I mean, it was just the place I was. I played every position for every year, they signed a player in my position. And I started the season out of the team and I had to fight my way back. And then I always backed myself and played well.

50:27And October, November, I'd be back in playing again. And then we did the whole thing over again. So it was one of those. and I thought, well, the next transfer window comes and you get closer to the end of year contract and you think, well, maybe I should look somewhere else. And Liverpool came on, obviously, incredible football club. And it was a similar feeling to when I went to City, you know, an amazing club, not won too many trophies in recent history. We obviously pipped them to that title of the year. We won it the second time with City and Liverpool were so close. And it just felt, can you, if you can go to Liverpool and win a league title, you know and their first Premier League it had been so long since they won a league title it's been incredible was Jurgen Klopp Paul he wasn't there it was Brendan so Brendan came and had a chat and spoke to me and how he saw me fitting in and yeah I thought yeah let's let's go for it really and again it was a long way off achieving what they went on to achieve at the point you come in they'd been close to winning a league title but a few years after the struggle debate and Steve he'd just gone that's right obviously the end of that season and the slip you know what Steve he was like as a player I think his last game they got lost quite heavily to Stoke was the last game would he be one of the best players that you played against?

51:44best off yeah with England but all rounders an all rounder could do everything he was he was incredible I think for sure who's the best player you played with or against or both actually against Messi Messi yeah comfortably without doubt it's just different planet yeah Didn't he not make you? Yeah, the new captain. Sorry to bring that up. No, I mean, it's... I mean, you're not the only one. He didn't score from it. It was on the halfway line. Oh, right. And my legs are so bowed that you could not make them when they're closed. So, but I mean... What is he like to do? One of the greatest of all time legs, yeah.

52:19It doesn't really bother me. What is he like to actually play against if you're up against him? Because, I mean, I like watching from the stands and he does stuff that is actually incomprehensible. It's impossible. It's like he's from another universe. He's an eye man. I mean, he can dribble. You probably know where he's going. He wants to go on his left foot, can't stop him. He's got three around him. He's dribbling as fast with the ball, even faster with the ball than he wouldn't without. You have three men around him and he still knows there's a guy over here and he slips it through to him.

52:47I mean, when we played against him and especially Liverpool games, we tried to make it not be his own way. You know, roughly, it's fair, there's a bit of game a bit annoyed. The odd shoulder charge here and there. You can't let the best have it their own way, can they? Otherwise, they'll do what they want and that's a sign of respect for sure. but yeah, he's an unbelievable player, unbelievable. And then you look at the other players you had around and played against Xavi and Iniesta and Suarez and Neymar. All the best for getting a kick. What about the best player you played with for a period of time?

53:15Because you've played with some, I mean, you've already mentioned David Silva and you know, Yaya Torre and you played obviously with some greats at Liverpool as well. You know, Mo Salah, Bobby Firmino. I mean, so many great players. it is such a tough difficult question it's so tough and like you get asked to do your best 11s and five side teams and stuff and I hate doing it because you're just going to annoy people because you're going to leave someone out you have to leave someone out I did one the other week and I had to leave Bobby for me now I mean Mike would be really upset he's done your no kick Meex is there for team bonding and team spirit yeah for sure so go on you've got different reasons you don't have to name one but just I mean you go through the start of my career you're looking at Alan Shearer I mean obviously I didn't play with him in his prime 260 goals incredible player he had to be up there I wish I hadn't asked that question.

53:59Yeah, sorry. And then, you know, you go on and David Silvers, Uri Aguero, Carlos Tevez, and then, you know, Mo, Sadio, Bobby, like... Some forward line, that one. It's not bad, like, and the work they did for each other. And then England as well, you know, like Lamps, Lamps as well. I mean, the Madagos, he scored Stevie, Waza, Harry Kane. You cover a long period. David Beckham, you cover Harry a hell of a period of time. I remember going to England and watching him deliver and I'd be on the right wing with him and just watch him do it. It's just like, wow. He could cross the ball. Oh, I know. Absolutely.

54:35You'd have scored a few goals with him, point to me. He was actually, you know, when they ask you that question, well, you don't yet because it's not happened to you. Right. Because you've been playing for so long. Eventually, someone will ask you the question, once you've finished playing, James, they'll say, you know, if all the players know, who would you want to play with? And for me, it was always, for a long time, was always Beckham. Because you talk about English players. Yeah. Otherwise, it'd be messy, obviously. but it was always Beckham because of that that delivery oh their delivery was spot on yeah Jurgen Klopp like however you think he is he is and I think that's the biggest compliment you can give yeah I think you know like some people have one face in front of the media and one face for he doesn't know does he what you see is what you get what you see is what you get big heart amazing guy off the field like the support he's done for my foundation over the years and coming to the events and bidding on things and stuff like that as a manager intensity knowing when to say the right thing when to be but training was good made you want to run through a brick wall yeah just as an all-round package as a manager and that you know that aura about him and that weariness like we were talking about Fabio before where he was like better be a bit careful here but then obviously you can have a joke and he's laughing and that's soft side as well so yeah incredible manager obviously won he said he was blessed to have you blessed to have Milner but I think there's also a half time fallout where he told you to shut up or something yeah there was for sure times that he wouldn't have thought he was blessed to have me really yeah 100 % are you the kind of player that will perhaps have a go back at a manager occasionally I'm not saying go back I think that instance we're talking about he was saying something and I was saying the reason why it had happened or saying something else and he said it and I said it again and then we had a big thing like this in the middle of the training and we slammed his hand down and I'm like, you shut the fuck up.

56:31And that was the end of that one. And did you? Yeah, of course. Immediately, yeah. And like the relationship we had, I would, I'd always be honest. I'd always be honest and say things and I knew he'd always know whatever I said was for the best of the team. You know, sometimes he'd take it on board and he'd never say anything at the time but then over the next weeks or something, you'd say, oh, maybe he's taken that another time, you know, but he was managing, he was the leader and I've always tried to be honest with the managers and say who I think and they know from me they're going to get honesty but they'll get it on the pitch as well and they make the decisions and I'll give them everything I've got so we tried to deliver his messages within the dressing room and make sure that he didn't have any grief from the dressing room and things were looked after and that so he didn't have people knocking on his door and having to worry about outside it's hard enough and we had a great group of players and when we had signings come in they had to fit in because everyone was doing the right things and behaving the right way.

57:28So, you know, you'd be completely different if you didn't. So that was important, I think. You obviously lived the rivalry, didn't you, between that incredible period of years where it was Liverpool and City and obviously City was your previous club. And eventually that first title came for Liverpool for 30 years. That must have been special. It was COVID though, wasn't it? And it was all a bit weird, that period. Yeah, that was the disappointing thing. I think obviously the COVID when we lifted it. But yeah, I think the whole journey to that point in terms of the battles we had with City and the Champions League.

58:02I mean, you'd have won four titles in any other era probably. A hundred percent. I mean, the year we won the Champions League, we lost the league on 97 points. It's mad, isn't it? I mean, 30 wins, seven draws and one defeat and you don't get anything for it. And I believe if we hadn't won the Champions League that year, I think it's pretty hard for that team to come back to recover and go again with nothing for it to keep that intensity I really believe if we hadn't have done that and that then goes to the Barcelona game which again is that twist which looked really unlikely so if you don't turn that turn that round and then you're not in the Champions League you get 97 points that was an extraordinary evening I was at that game covering it I think that was my favourite ever game I've been involved in I think like you say the quality of team they had the experience atmosphere the boos before they started when Suarez who's a Liverpool legend was on the kick-off and they whistled straight away and said you're not one of ours tonight mate and they sort of said that to him we got a corner I think 30-40 seconds in the row for a corner was and you get one and you just pick it bit by bit and there's no panic the Trent corner incredible I mean incredible that was a moment as well I mean I have to say I was hiding my emotions because I was a former Barcelona man I love Messi and all that I was a bit gutted but but it was an exhilarating night to watch as well let alone unbelievable yeah to be part of it and then standing in front and with players missing so we had obviously Mo was out and a few others were out I mean no one no one gave you a chance and we'd had a tough game on the side against Newcastle the night before Vinnie company had sliced one into the top corner I mean I've seen him shoot millions of times in training and put it in the bushes and over the fence and get fined for pointing out over the fence is that the goal against Leicester?

59:48yeah it was the long range one I flicked it on with about 10 minutes left and sliced it in the top corner. So that means it's unlikely. Well, I'm always going to say that. I've been in it. And yeah. And so that, obviously we've reeling off that and then you go into that Barcelona game. So I feel like you look at that chain of events, then you turn that around, 97 points, win on the weekend, don't get the league title with 97 points and then go and win the Champions League. And then again, obviously the next year, what was it? 99 points to win it yeah and then I think another year we have 92 they're mad numbers aren't they because if you look at most I mean I mean they're not going to get anywhere near that this season no I mean the Arsenal Invincibles they'd have been third wouldn't they yeah I think they had 89 points so that's true I mean obviously it won't work like that because he did of course because she's been playing against but like for context and joking I think we had over 90 points three times and finish second.

1:00:50It's really, really mad. It's not really been far in this season. It brings me to the question, which is obviously difficult for you because I know you were very close to Diogo Giotta and they lost him at the start of the season. I think it's definitely had some kind of effect and it clearly had an effect on you. You adopted his number on the back of your shirt. How close were you? Yeah, pretty close. I think, you know, it's like when you have teammates and that team spirit and the amount of time you spend together and he was one of us straight away. He always sat on our table when he had little tables at dinner and night before games.

1:01:25There's Robbo and myself and Jotts and Hendo and the boys. He was such a great guy, brought into English football and English culture and could have a joke. Boy, could we argue. Did we argue and joke and always having to mess around and arguments at dinner tables. We were both so stubborn, so many of them. had so many fun times winding each other up and used to work with him in training when you're in twos and stuff and yeah I mean it's devastating you can't point to words you can't point to words life is fragile so fragile isn't it as a player as a guy so love everyone in the dressing room one of those guys you know like who can sit with anyone and get on and have a laugh with him and it's just skill that you know you're going to be compatible with some people more than others but for him everyone and yeah I mean and a very good footballer so underrated and when I moved to Brighton and Adam Webster used to sit next to me on the bus and the amount of times he got bored I was like you don't realise how good this is he was literally my favourite player to watch as a fan watching football so clever like how he used his body even when he wasn't receiving the ball he'd block someone so the next guy had time on the ball body positions rolls, touches, finishes he was so clever and I used to say at Webby all the time he's so good yeah Millie you told me last week you told me I just love watching him and you know the impact that's probably had on the football club and the people I think when you go through grief as an individual you never know when it's going to hit you and what effect it'll have when you've got a full football team and football club going through that and the reminder every time you go into training ground every time it's 20 minutes at Anfield it's it's hard it's hard It has to have an effect.

1:03:17It has to have an effect. Bring it on to where you are now, Brighton. You enjoyed it there? Yeah, I have. I have, again, something that you wanted a project to be a part of and you see the journey it's been on over the last however long. I mean, I remember playing against Brighton in League One when I went on loan to Swindon. So the journey they've been on since then and being involved in their first ever season in Europe and working under two managers who I've learned a lot from and been part of that and a fantastic group of players. I think there's a great senior group there. You know, Welbs is, I take the pressure off him with my age, but he's no spring chicken, but how he's playing and the goals he's banging in, absolutely incredible.

1:04:01Example, Jason Steele, Louis Dunk. Would you push him perhaps for England and World Cup as a backup cane? Because there's no, I mean, Ollie Watkins obviously had things a little bit more difficult this season. his scoring goals his work rate for the team his knowledge of the game his attitude how he is as a guy around the camp you know you wouldn't say he shouldn't be in there for sure you'd endorse him 100 % 100 % I'm glad I'd have to make the decision of who's going for sure but he definitely would be an asset if he was there you had 900 club appearances 1 ,000 club appearances including you first player to play 23 Premier League seasons what's next at this moment in time I think I'm just taking it game by game you're not going to say taking one game at a time are you you're not going to throw that one at this moment in time because things happen so quickly and change so quickly it's getting to the end of the season are you are you not sure another season or yeah that sort of thing I'm not sure would you drop down I don't think so no I don't think so I think it'd have to be something very exciting yeah for you to do that and you never know that's why it's tough to answer because you don't know what options you might have what conversations it's a bit unfair to say that anyway so what about beyond that what do you think your career in the media you speak very well you're obviously clearly intelligent but you've also played in all these different positions you've played with so many great managers would you fancy going into the mad world of management there's times I think yeah and there's times when you see managers get sacked six weeks after signing new contract and getting manager of the month and they get big payday though yes then no I think it's so difficult isn't it it's such a difficult job but like you say I feel fortunate the players I play with the managers I work with it's a challenge I like a challenge sounds like yes to me but it has to be the right club it has to be the right manager the right owner I mean it has to be have you done badges at all?

1:06:07I've done UEFA B &A so I've done those two and pros obviously you need but it's a bit harder to get while you're playing and I mean Jürgen always told me to have a break he always said once you've finished have a break I think that's wise you've got plenty of time to be a manager and a coach you probably need a year out or yeah I think and I presume when you finish that you'll enjoy your holidays I'm glad I'm not back at pre-season and then that first Saturday will hit when the league starts and I think you'll have that feeling and you don't know how you feel. You don't know how you're going to feel going forward.

1:06:42You don't. Some players really miss it, some players won't. A hundred percent. And the intensity I think I've put in for that amount of time, I think Jürgen's advice of having a recharge is, and I feel at that point you'll know, yeah, I'd really like to go into coaching or there's other avenues, of course. Of course. Well, whatever you do, James, I wish you all the very best for an absolute delight talking to you. Thank you, appreciate it. Thank you. Cheers, mate. Goodbye from me.

1:07:16Monster Energy. Everybody knows White Monster Zero Ultra. That's the OG. It kicked off this whole Zero Sugar Energy drink thing. But Ultra is a whole line up now. You've got Strawberry Dreams, Blue Hawaiian, Sunrise, and Vice Guava. And they all bring the Monster Energy punch. So if you've been living in the white can, branch out. Ultra's got a flavor for every vibe, and every single one is zero sugar. Tap the banner to learn more.