KEITH Millen insists Steve Wigley is just the man to take Bristol City's players out of their comfort zone.

Having agreed a one-year rolling contract as assistant manager, former Nottingham Forest winger Wigley becomes Millen's first appointment since he succeeded Steve Coppell as first-team boss last week.

And the 43-year-old Londoner today revealed the thinking behind his decision to approach the man he first met while studying for his UEFA Pro-licence in Southampton.

Millen explained: "I wanted someone from outside of Bristol City, someone the players would not have worked with before and would not know.

"I've been around for a long time and most of the players know me and the way I like to work. I didn't want things becoming too cosy and I thought it would do them good to work for someone new.

"I believe they will benefit from different ideas and a different approach. Bringing Steve on board will take the players out of their comfort zone and keep them on their toes.

"He is something fresh and new and that was always going to be my priority when looking for an assistant."

Millen already had 48-year-old Wigley in mind, having considered him following Gary Johnson's resignation as manager in March this year.

He explained: "When I was deciding whether or not to put myself forward for the job towards the end of last season, I had a think about the people I might want to work with.

"I'd met Steve on a couple of coaching courses and knew him as a coach and as a personality. Had I landed the manager's job back then, I would definitely have made him the first person I contacted regarding the assistant manager's role.

"When I called him last Friday, he was interested straight away, which was a good thing. Steve lives in Southampton, which is not that far away, and his son has recently started at Bristol University. Things just seemed to add up and it all made sense."

Wigley boasts an impressive CV,

having managed Southampton in the top flight and assisted Gary Megson at Bolton Wanderers.

As a player, he started out at Nottingham Forest under Brian Clough and went on to represent Sheffield United, Birmingham City, Portsmouth and Exeter.

Handed responsibility for developing young England players, Wigley has worked closely with Under-21s manager Stuart Pearce since 2007 and is highly-rated a s a coach.

Wigley will continue in his role with the Three Lions youngsters.

Millen said: "It doesn't affect the work Steve will be doing for Bristol City, because we don't play when England do.

"When he teams up with Stuart Pearce, we will be on an international break without a game, so I don't envisage a clash of interests or any other problems."

He added: "I believe we have got ourselves a top coach, someone who is enthusiastic about what he does and who wants to learn and pass on his knowledge. Because of his personality, I think the players will find working with him challenging and I'm sure Steve will get the best out of them.

"If you look at his previous record, you will see that most of his work as a manager and coach has been done in the Premier League. He has worked with some very capable people down the years and I'm looking forward to our association."

Wigley left Southampton to join Megson at Bolton Wanderers after Sam Allardyce's successor, Sammy Lee, left the club in 2007. He took over as caretaker at the Reebok Stadium for a short spell after Megson was sacked last season and departed himself following Owen Coyle's appointment.

He finished last season at relegated Hull City, working alongside Tigers boss Iain Dowie, and was between club jobs when City came knocking.

Millen said: "Steve has been out of the game at club level for a short while and is keen to get back in. He sees Bristol City as an ambitious club and this job as a good opportunity for him."