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Premier League legend opens up on milestone journey
The 40-year-old midfielder, now the Premier League's all-time appearance leader, discusses his career highs, personal struggles, and what drives him in an exclusive interview with Kelly Somers.
From Leeds debut to record books
James Milner, who recently surpassed Gareth Barry's Premier League appearance record with 656 games, traces his journey back to his debut for hometown club Leeds United in November 2002. At just 16, he became the league's youngest goalscorer-a feat he achieved days after his first-team bow. Reflecting on his early days, Milner recalls the surreal experience of training alongside Leeds legends like David Batty and Mark Viduka, describing the transition from academy to first team as "ridiculous" in its speed.
Milner's career has spanned over two decades, featuring stints at Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Liverpool, where he collected three Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, and multiple domestic cups. Yet, he admits the record-breaking milestone felt secondary to his primary focus: contributing to his current club, Brighton & Hove Albion.
Overcoming adversity and defying age
One of Milner's proudest achievements, he tells Somers, was returning to the pitch this season after a nine-month absence due to a knee injury that left him unable to lift his foot. At 39, many doubted his ability to recover, but Milner credits his determination-and Brighton's medical team-for his comeback. "It was probably a driver," he says. "You want to prove again you can beat the odds."
The injury wasn't his only low point. Milner cites Leeds' relegation in 2004 as a defining moment of heartbreak, along with losing two Champions League finals with Liverpool. "Any time you lose a final... that's never nice," he says, though he reserves special praise for Liverpool's 2019 semi-final victory over Barcelona, calling it "the most special evening."
Behind the scenes: Mentors, mindset, and misconceptions
When asked about the best manager he's played under, Milner doesn't hesitate: Jürgen Klopp. "As a man, as a character... how he improved me," he says, praising Klopp's ability to foster open dialogue and mutual respect. Their occasional clashes, he admits, stemmed from a shared desire to win-though Klopp's unpredictable half-time team talks kept players on their toes.
Milner also addresses the stereotype of being "boring," a label he's embraced with humor. "People who know me will probably question it," he laughs, before revealing a surprising hobby: learning the piano. "I bought the kids a keyboard for Christmas," he explains. "They went to bed, and I started tinkering." Now, he can play snippets of Elton John and Adele, though he insists he's "not good-just improving."
Football's evolution and future plans
Milner reflects on how the game has changed since his debut, from the physicality of tackles to the introduction of VAR. "You used to have a period where pitches were ropey," he notes, contrasting it with today's pristine surfaces. While he acknowledges the benefits of modern pitches, he remains critical of VAR, calling it a "big change" he's "not overly in favour of."
Looking ahead, Milner hints at a few more years on the pitch-"if I wanted to"-but acknowledges the unpredictability of football. "Things change very quickly," he says, referencing his injury setback. When pressed about a future in management, he's cautious: "Some days you think it'd be interesting... other days, you see how tough the job is." For now, he's focused on mentoring younger players and soaking up the game's dynamics.
Final words of wisdom
If he could offer his younger self one piece of advice, Milner says it would be to "enjoy it more." Yet, he concedes, his relentless drive to push forward made that nearly impossible. "The young James Milner would probably say: 'No, let's get on the next one.'"
"I think to be able to help two different teams start an era of success... that's something I'm proud of."
James Milner
Where to watch
The full interview airs on The Football Interview with Kelly Somers on BBC One at 23:40 BST on Saturday, 21 March (00:55 on Sunday in Scotland). It will also be available on BBC iPlayer, YouTube, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website.
