New Bristol City manager Keith Millen: This is my big chance
NEW Bristol City manager Keith Millen today spoke of his burning ambition to make a name for himself in football management.
Although stunned by Steve Coppell's decision to quit as manager after just two games in charge, Millen admitted he did not have to think twice about accepting the job on a permanent basis.
And the man who served as assistant to previous boss Gary Johnson for nearly five years is adamant the time has now arrived for him to step out of the shadows and become a number one in his own right.
"This is my big chance to prove I can be a manager," declared Millen, who has agreed an upgrade to his current three-year contract and will take charge of his first game as City's new boss at Doncaster Rovers tomorrow.
"I've spent a long time as a coach and as a number two and I've worked with some top people and learned a lot about the business of managing a football club.
"I had a taste of it when acting as caretaker at the end of last season and the experience whetted my appetite for more. I may not be a big name like Steve Coppell, but I'm enthusiastic and hard working and I want to make a name for myself as a manager and show people what I can do.
"I didn't think the time was right for me at the end of last season, but I've learned a lot in the short time I've worked with Steve Coppell and I didn't need to think twice when the job was offered to me."
The 43-year-old Londoner was looking forward to working with Coppell this season and tried to talk the former Manchester United and England winger into staying.
Millen revealed: "I had a phone call on Wednesday afternoon from Steve Coppell asking to meet me in the evening at a little quiet pub near where he lives. I met him at 8 O'clock, thinking he was going to talk tactics and players and look forward to the game against Doncaster at the weekend.
"When I met him, he said: 'I'm really sorry to leave you in the lurch, but it's not working out for me'. He told me the reasons were personal and that he wanted to leave and resign from management.
"It came as a massive shock for me, because I was looking forward to working with Steve and learning from him.
"I asked him if there was anything we had done wrong as a staff or as players and he said he had no issues with any of that or with anyone he had worked with.
"I tried to change his mind, but it was already made up and, knowing him like I do, I knew there was no point trying to persuade him to change it."
He added: "I spoke to the chairman (Steve Lansdown) and Colin Sexstone (chief executive) very soon after that meeting and told them I would be delighted to take the job on, and they were delighted to offer it to me."
Millen broke the news to the players before training yesterday morning, including new signings David James, Nicky Hunt, Kalifa Cisse, Damion Stewart and Albert Adomah.
He explained: "We called them all in together and told them what had happened and, obviously, they were all shocked.
"Hopefully, when they have digested that, they will come back in and be ready to do their best for Bristol City.
"It is my job to liven them up and make sure they are up for Saturday.
"I've spoken to the new signings and they are disappointed, because Steve was a big factor in them coming to the club. But they understand football and they are quite happy to work with me."
Millen has been given free reign to appoint an assistant manager of his choice and he was today talking to prospective candidates.
He said: "I've a few different people in mind, people I know well and who have a different personality from my own.
"I'll be making some calls and looking for someone to come in and help with the coaching. I want someone who is going to be nice and lively and enthusiastic with the players.
"I doubt I'll have anyone in place before Saturday's game but, hopefully, it will not take too long."
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by Ozzie George, South Australia
Saturday, August 14 2010, 12:39AM
“How easy it is to sit back in our comfort zone and criticise all and sundry.
I've followed city since the mid 1950's and lived in Oz since 1970, yes I've been dissapointed but will never turn my back on city and look forward to seeing them (in whatever league they are in) when I come to the uk next year.
KM has shown his loyalty, a lot more than some of you so called supporters, stick together and give him the chance he relishes and back city all the way.”
by TOTEENDTONY, WSM
Friday, August 13 2010, 11:07PM
“HOW COME MILLEN WAS'NT GOOD ENOUGH 4 MONTHS AGO??????”
by Fred, Weston
Friday, August 13 2010, 11:07PM
“Alan (BS3) - I agree with you.
If you appoint SC then you have to give him a sporting chance to do the job and that means resource.
It was clear from SC's comments after the recent matches that 110% effort was not enough. Guile, skill and doing the basics are esential.
Defence has been our weak spot as well as scoring the odd goal or two.
KM was responsible for the defensive set up and last year that gave us a very bumpy ride. So we start in the same inept manner and as supporters are expected to shut up and accept third rate performances! Not in my book.
In life if you do not seek the best you end up with second rate stuff.
Can KM do it? Well he hasn't the experience that would attract the quality players we need.
It will be interesting to see how KM and DJ get on. A smart move might be to offer DJ the coaching job and so lock him into City for more than 44 days like our last smart move!”
by Laur, SA
Friday, August 13 2010, 5:45PM
“I'm a lifelong City fan and never cease to be amazed at the overreaction of fans
when the going gets tough. We are not Man City and the Chairman aspires to improve the club without risking the future of the club. Give Keith Millen a chance (he secured our Championship status last year) and support the team.
Forever Red!!!!”
by Alan, BS3
Friday, August 13 2010, 5:08PM
“Well today i am totally ashamed to be a Bristol City fan, The board needs to sort itself out and stop messing about with this new stadium and concenstrate on sorting the team out?? We get a top manager in and i mean top class and the board dont back him in the transfer market...what a joke...honestly i''''d love to shove my season ticket right up Colin Sexstones big fat behind..And the appointment of Millen what a joke...we have made the mistake before taking the cheap option.....we employ a top class manager in Coppell and say sorry you have to work with the crap squad that the 2 second hand car dealers that used to be here assembled...League 1 here we come...And a message to the board after millen has lost the next 10 games sack him quick so we can get another top manager in...but this time do not mess on him like you did with Mr Coppell...Good luck to you Steve Coppell and i for one wish all the best in what you do next i''''m sure with the right chairman and backing behind you, you will be a success again somewhere...”
by Paul, Whitchurch
Friday, August 13 2010, 4:58PM
“What an awful week for the club; huge cracks from the Gary Johnson era that we though had been smoothed over are once again laid bare for the nation to gawp at and ridicule.
I question the immediate appointment of Keith Millen.
Steve Lansdown always talks about a concerted push for promotion when plugging season ticket sales but doesn't back this up with the cash required to compete at the top of the Championship.
It appears we face more of the same dross this season and I predict us struggling to get the necessary points to stay up.”
by Raymond Pilkington, Marshfield
Friday, August 13 2010, 4:05PM
“Lansdown decided this summer he wasn't going to pump cash into the club to get us promoted AFTER season tickets sales had gone through the roof and Steve Coppell had signed on the dotted line.
Then he did an about-turn and swallowed up the remaining wage bill by personally signing David James ?!
The ball is in Lansdown's court and he has chosen the 'comfort blanket' of Keith Millen to keep his hand in on first team affairs.
Fine, but expect both barrels from the fans if this appointment goes belly up.”
by john, Redland
Friday, August 13 2010, 3:42PM
“SKINT and debts mounting fast,remember the last time (all gasheads keep remin ding us).”
by Chris, Bristol
Friday, August 13 2010, 2:48PM
“The Chairman should now make sure that some meaningful money is made available, at least in the short term
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What a naive comment this is, do you support City, if so you clearly need to read up the last 5 years events.
Once you have done that, report back and we can discuss”
by dave, LONDON
Friday, August 13 2010, 12:02PM
“i have a pretty shrewd idea of where the problem might be at the core!”