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Keith Millen

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Keith Millen
Personal information
Full name Keith Derek Millen[1]
Date of birth (1966-09-26) 26 September 1966 (age 58)[2]
Place of birth Croydon, England[2]
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
AFC Croydon Athletic (manager)
Youth career
1980–1982 Southampton
1982–1983 Crystal Palace
1983 Brentford
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1983–1994 Brentford 305 (17)
1994–1999 Watford 165 (5)
1999–2003 Bristol City 60 (4)
Total 530 (26)
Managerial career
2005 Bristol City (caretaker)
2010 Bristol City (caretaker)
2010–2011 Bristol City
2013 Crystal Palace (caretaker)
2014 Crystal Palace (caretaker)
2014–2015 Crystal Palace (caretaker)
2018 Milton Keynes Dons (caretaker)
2020 Örgryte IS
2021–2022 Carlisle United
2023 Gillingham (caretaker)
2024– AFC Croydon Athletic
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Keith Derek Millen (born 26 September 1966) is an English football manager and former player who played as a centre back. He is currently manager of Isthmian League South East Division club AFC Croydon Athletic.

Millen was appointed as Steve Coppell's successor, after Coppell chose to resign from Bristol City and retire from football. Millen spent most of his professional career at Brentford, where he reached the Associate Members' Cup final in 1985, and won the Football League Third Division in 1992. After leaving Brentford in 1994, he finished his playing career with Watford and Bristol City. Following retirement, Millen remained at City as a member of the coaching staff. He was caretaker manager at Ashton Gate following Gary Johnson's departure towards the end of the 2009–10 season. He took charge of nine competitive matches, winning five, drawing three and losing once. He was caretaker manager at Crystal Palace for 4 matches in the 2013–14 season winning one drawing one and losing 2. He was again appointed caretaker manager at Crystal Palace on 14 August 2014. On 27 August 2014 Neil Warnock was appointed full-time manager and at that time Millen's role at the club was not certain. However, on 12 September 2014 it was reported that Warnock was happy for Millen to continue in the role of assistant manager at Crystal Palace.[3] Millen was re-appointed as caretaker manager on 27 December 2014 after Warnock was sacked following a poor run of results. On 2 January 2015, Alan Pardew was appointed to replace Warnock, and Millen reverted to assistant manager. On 9 January 2017, after Sam Allardyce was appointed as manager, Millen left Crystal Palace.

Playing career

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Brentford

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After spells as an apprentice at Southampton and Crystal Palace, Millen spent time as a junior at Brentford, before turning professional in 1983.[4] Between then and 1994, he made 305 League appearances for the club, scoring 17 goals. He helped Brentford reach the final of the Associate Members' Cup in 1985, where they were defeated 3–1 by Wigan Athletic at Wembley Stadium.[5]

He helped the club to the Football League Third Division title in 1991–92, and earned a testimonial match against Tottenham Hotspur in 1993 following ten years as a professional.[6]

Watford

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Millen joined Watford along with defensive partner Colin Foster in March 1994, helping them escape relegation that season.[4] Although Watford were eventually relegated in 1996, Millen later played a part in the club achieving successive promotions under Graham Taylor between 1997 and 1999. In total, Millen made 165 appearances for Watford, scoring 5 goals.

Bristol City

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Millen joined Bristol City in November 1999. In the 2000 Football League Trophy final at Wembley, Millen captained Bristol City in a 2–1 defeat to Stoke City. He played his last competitive game in August 2002, a 2–0 home win over Blackpool before retiring in 2003,[6] and later joining the club's coaching staff.[2]

Coaching and managerial career

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Bristol City

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Following his retirement from football, Millen became under-17 manager at Bristol City.[7] When Brian Tinnion was promoted to player-manager in 2004, he appointed Millen as his assistant. Under Tinnion's management City won 22 of 61 matches,[8] and Millen was appointed as caretaker when Tinnion left the club. However, he publicly ruled himself out of the running to become the permanent manager.[9] He was made caretaker manager of City when Gary Johnson left the club in March 2010, and became manager on a full-time basis on a three-year contract when Johnson's replacement, Steve Coppell, departed on 12 August 2010.[10] Millen left the manager's position on 3 October 2011.[11]

Crystal Palace

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After a brief spell as head of coaching and development at Blackpool[12] earlier in the year, Millen was appointed assistant manager at Crystal Palace in November 2012, following former Blackpool manager Ian Holloway. On 23 October 2013, Millen was appointed as caretaker manager after Holloway left by mutual consent.[13]

On 26 November 2013, newly appointed Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis announced that Millen would be kept as backroom staff.[14]

After Tony Pulis' surprise departure from Crystal Palace on 14 August 2014 (only 2 days before the start of the new Premier League season) Millen was again appointed caretaker manager.[15] However, when Neil Warnock was appointed permanent manager on 27 August 2014, Millen's future was not made clear.[16] On 12 September 2014 it was reported that Neil Warnock was happy for Millen to continue as assistant manager at Crystal Palace.[3]

On 27 December 2014, Millen took over as caretaker manager of Crystal Palace for a third time following Warnock being sacked.[17] When Alan Pardew was appointed to replace Warnock on 2 January 2015 Millen reverted to assistant manager.

On 9 January 2017, subsequent to the appointment of Sam Allardyce as manager of Crystal Palace, it was announced that Millen had left the club.[18] He then worked with the Tottenham Hotspur development squad while seeking a new first team role.[19]

Milton Keynes Dons

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On 23 January 2018, after a brief spell working on the coaching staff at Portsmouth, Millen joined League One club Milton Keynes Dons as assistant manager.[20]

On 22 April 2018, following the mutual contract termination of first team manager Dan Micciche, Millen was appointed caretaker manager of the club.[21]

Carlisle United

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On 26 October 2021, Millen was appointed manager of League Two side Carlisle United on an 18-month contract following the sacking of Chris Beech three weeks previously.[22] On 23 February 2022, with the club sitting in the relegation zone in 23rd position, Millen left the club by mutual consent.[23]

Gillingham

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On 7 April 2023, Millen was appointed head of academy coaching at League Two side Gillingham.[24] On 5 October 2023, following the sacking of Neil Harris, Millen took charge of the first team on an interim basis.[25]

AFC Croydon Athletic

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On 18 November 2024, Millen was appointed manager of Isthmian League South East Division side AFC Croydon Athletic.[26]

Managerial statistics

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As of 28 October 2023
Team Nat From To Record
G W D L Win %
Bristol City (caretaker) England 11 September 2005 26 September 2005 3 1 1 1 033.33
Bristol City (caretaker) England 18 March 2010 11 May 2010 9 5 3 1 055.56
Bristol City England 12 August 2010 3 October 2011 57 18 12 27 031.58
Crystal Palace (caretaker) England 23 October 2013 23 November 2013 4 1 1 2 025.00
Crystal Palace (caretaker) England 14 August 2014 27 August 2014 3 1 0 2 033.33
Crystal Palace (caretaker) England 27 December 2014 2 January 2015 2 0 2 0 000.00
Milton Keynes Dons (caretaker) England 22 April 2018 6 May 2018 3 1 0 2 033.33
Carlisle United England 26 October 2021 23 February 2022 22 6 5 11 027.27
Gillingham (caretaker) England 5 October 2023 1 November 2023 6 2 0 4 033.33
Total 109 35 24 50 032.11

Honours

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As a player

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Brentford

Watford

Individual

As a manager

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Individual

References

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  1. ^ a b Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2003). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2003/2004. Queen Anne Press. p. 294. ISBN 1-85291-651-6.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920-2006. Harefield: Yore Publications. p. 109. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  3. ^ a b "Keith Millen and Ben Garner impress Crystal Palace boss". Croydon Advertiser. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  4. ^ a b Trefor Jones (1996). The Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. p. 164. ISBN 0-9527458-0-1.
  5. ^ Jeremy Hicks. "The Football League Trophy". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
  6. ^ a b "Millen takes second in command". Brentford F.C. Archived from the original on 26 February 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
  7. ^ "PFA list revealed in full". Bristol City F.C. 17 November 2004. Archived from the original on 12 April 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
  8. ^ "Brian Tinnion's managerial career". Soccerbase. Archived from the original on 24 December 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Millen rules out Bristol City job". BBC Sport. 12 September 2005. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
  10. ^ "Steve Coppell quits as Bristol City manager". BBC Sport. 12 August 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  11. ^ Keith leaves Ashton Gate Bristol City F.C., 3 October 2011 after the 5–0 defeat to Blackpool FC . Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  12. ^ "Seasiders appoint Millen in development role". Blackpool F.C. Archived from the original on 29 April 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  13. ^ "Ian Holloway: Crystal Palace boss departs Premier League strugglers". BBC Sport. 23 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  14. ^ "Keith Millen will be staying at Crystal Palace". Croydon Advertiser. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  15. ^ "Crystal Palace caretaker boss Keith Millen 'shocked' by Tony Pulis departure". Croydon Advertiser. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  16. ^ "Keith Millen's Crystal Palace future uncertain as Warnock targets new backroom staff". Croydon Advertiser. Archived from the original on 13 November 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  17. ^ "Neil Warnock: Crystal Palace sack manager after Southampton defeat". BBC Sport. 27 December 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  18. ^ "Club Statement". cpfc.co.uk. 9 January 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  19. ^ Kilpatrick, Dan (10 February 2017). "Spurs' Steve Hitchen responsible for Liverpool signing Luis Suarez – Comolli". ESPN. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  20. ^ "Dan Micciche: MK Dons appoint ex-England youth coach as new manager". BBC Sport. 23 January 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  21. ^ "Dan Micciche: MK Dons part company with manager". BBC Sport. 22 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  22. ^ "CLUB: New manager appointed". carlisleunited.co.uk. 26 October 2021.
  23. ^ "CLUB STATEMENT: 23 February 2022". carlisleunited.co.uk. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  24. ^ Cawdell, Luke (7 April 2023). "Gillingham appoint former Bristol City, Crystal Palace, MK Dons and Carlisle manager Keith Millen as head of academy coaching". Kent Online. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  25. ^ "Club Statement: Neil Harris". www.gillinghamfootballclub.com. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  26. ^ "CROYDON ATHLETIC APPOINT FORMER CRYSTAL PALACE COACH KEITH MILLEN AS NEW MANAGER". www.croydonathletic.com. 18 November 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  27. ^ Wickham, Chris. "Bob Booker, Peter Gelson, Keith Millen, Alan Nelmes and Danis Salman honoured at Brentford FC 125 Year Anniversary Dinner". brentfordfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  28. ^ "Millen named manager of the month". BBC Sport. 9 December 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
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