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Keith Millen
Keith Millen
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Keith Derek Millen (born 26 September 1966) is an English football manager and former player who played as a centre back. He was most recently manager of AFC Croydon Athletic.

Key Information

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

[edit]

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]

Halmstads BK

[edit]

Roy Hogdson helped Halmstads BK recruit Millen as assistant manager to Igor Krulj and joined the side in January 2019.[22] After Igor Krulj was sacked, Millen continued as assistant manager under Magnus Haglund until leaving the club at the end of the 2019 season after the team failed to advance to the Swedish top division Allsvenskan.[23]

Örgryte IS

[edit]

After leaving Halmstads BK, Millen was appointed manager of Superettan side Örgryte IS, which he led for the 2020 season until being sacked in October the same year.[24]

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.[25] On 23 February 2022, with the club sitting in the relegation zone in 23rd position, Millen left the club by mutual consent.[26]

Gillingham

[edit]

On 7 April 2023, Millen was appointed head of academy coaching at League Two side Gillingham.[27] On 5 October 2023, following the sacking of Neil Harris, Millen took charge of the first team on an interim basis.[28]

AFC Croydon Athletic

[edit]

On 18 November 2024, Millen was appointed manager of Isthmian League South East Division side AFC Croydon Athletic.[29] He departed the club on 14 February 2025 after recording just three wins from his 14 games in charge.[30]

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
AFC Croydon Athletic England 18 November 2024 14 February 2025 14 3 4 7 021.43
Total 123 38 28 57 030.89

Honours

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Keith Millen (born 26 September 1966) is an English former professional footballer and manager, who played primarily as a centre-back and has held various coaching roles in English football. Born in , he began his playing career at lower-league clubs before joining and then making over 150 appearances for between 1994 and 1999, where he contributed to two promotion-winning seasons under managers and . He concluded his playing days at Bristol City from 1999 to 2003, captaining the side in the 2000 Football League Trophy Final and retiring due to injury. Transitioning to coaching, Millen started in Bristol City's academy before becoming assistant manager under Brian Tinnion and Gary Johnson, helping the club secure promotion to the Championship in 2007 and reach the playoff final that year. He served as Bristol City's permanent manager from 2010 to 2011, overseeing 57 matches with a points-per-match average of 1.16. Later, he joined Crystal Palace in 2012 as assistant manager, acting as interim head coach on three occasions until departing in 2017 following Sam Allardyce's appointment. His subsequent roles included caretaker manager at MK Dons in 2018, assistant coach at Halmstads BK in 2019, manager of Örgryte IS in 2020, head of academy coaching at Gillingham from 2023 to 2024 (during which he served as interim head coach), and manager of Carlisle United from 2021 to 2022, where he left by mutual consent in League Two. Millen's most recent managerial position was at non-league side in the South East Division, appointed in November 2024 and lasting until February 2025; the club is co-owned by rapper and former winger . As of November 2025, he continues to work part-time as a coach educator for , seeking new opportunities. Holding a UEFA Pro Licence, he has also worked as a coach educator for on a part-time basis.

Playing career

Brentford

Keith Millen joined Brentford as a youth player before turning professional with the club in 1983. He made his professional debut on 7 August 1984 in a league match against Walsall. Over the next decade, he developed into a mainstay of the Bees' defense, primarily operating as a centre-back known for his composure and ability to read the game. During his 11-year spell at from 1983 to 1994, Millen made 380 appearances across all competitions, scoring 20 goals, which placed him seventh on the club's all-time appearance list at the time of his induction into the Brentford Hall of Fame in 2014. One of his earliest notable contributions came in the 1984–85 season, where he featured in the team's run to the final of the Associate Members' Cup—then known as the Freight Rover Trophy—played at on 1 June 1985. lost 3–1 to Athletic in the final, but Millen's involvement marked a significant early milestone in his career. Millen's role became increasingly vital during the mid-1980s and early , where his defensive partnerships bolstered Brentford's promotion aspirations in the lower tiers of English football. He formed the backbone of the backline, contributing to improved solidity that helped the team challenge for honors. In the 1991–92 season, under manager Phil Holder, Millen was a key figure in Brentford's Third Division title triumph, partnering centre-back Terry Evans to provide aerial strength and organizational prowess. This defensive duo was instrumental in a late-season surge of six consecutive wins, securing promotion to the new Second Division with a record of clean sheets and resilience, even as Millen played through injuries in crucial matches like the derby against .

Watford

Millen joined from in March 1994, bringing experience from the Bees' Third Division title win the previous season. Over the next five years, he established himself as a reliable centre-back, making 165 league appearances and scoring 5 goals, for a total of 191 appearances across all competitions. A key figure in Watford's resurgence, Millen played a pivotal role in the club's back-to-back promotions. In the 1997–98 season, under returning manager , he contributed to a dominant Second Division campaign that ended with the title and promotion to the First Division. The following year, 1998–99, Millen helped secure another promotion by defeating Wanderers 2–0 in the playoff final at , elevating Watford to the second tier. Millen's defensive solidity was central to these successes, forming effective partnerships—initially with Colin Foster upon arrival, and later with Steve Palmer during the promotion pushes. His consistent performances saw him feature in over 30 league games per season across both promotion campaigns, anchoring a backline that conceded fewer goals than many rivals.

Bristol City

Millen joined Bristol City from in November 1999 for a fee of £35,000. He made 60 league appearances and scored 4 goals during his time there, for a total of 75 appearances across all competitions. As , he led the side in the 2000 Football League Trophy Final at , where Bristol City lost 2–1 to Stoke City. Millen retired from playing in 2003 due to injury.

Coaching and managerial career

Bristol City

Upon retiring from his playing career at Bristol City in 2003, where he had served as , Millen transitioned into coaching by joining the club's staff as youth team manager in before being promoted to assistant manager. Millen's first caretaker role came in February 2005 after the departure of player-manager , during which he managed two League One matches, securing one draw and one loss before Gary Johnson's appointment. As assistant manager under Tinnion, Johnson, and others, Millen focused on player development, nurturing talents such as striker from the youth academy into the first team, while emphasizing defensive organization that contributed to the club's stability in the . He returned as from March to May 2010 following Johnson's resignation, overseeing the final nine games of the 2009–10 season and guiding Bristol City to a 15th-place finish in the with an impressive points-per-match average of 2.00. After serving briefly as assistant to , Millen was appointed full-time manager on 13 August 2010 following Coppell's resignation after just two matches. Under Millen's leadership, Bristol City achieved a strong 2010–11 campaign, finishing fourth and qualifying for the promotion , though they were eliminated in the semi-finals by rivals Cardiff City with a 1–0 aggregate defeat. The subsequent 2011–12 season began poorly, prompting his sacking on 3 October 2011; across his full managerial spell from August 2010, he oversaw 57 matches, recording 18 wins, 12 draws, and 27 losses for a points-per-match average of 1.16.

Blackpool

Following his departure from Bristol City, Millen joined as head of coaching and development in July 2012. In this brief role lasting until November 2012, he focused on structuring training programs and developing young players for the first team during a turbulent period for the club in the .

Crystal Palace

Keith Millen joined as first-team coach in November 2012 under manager . He quickly rose to assistant manager, serving in that role under multiple head coaches including Holloway, from November 2013 to August 2014, from August to December 2014, from January 2015 to December 2016, and briefly . During his tenure, Millen acted as caretaker manager on several occasions amid transitions, including a four-match spell from late to 2013 (1 win, 1 draw, 2 losses), three matches in August 2014 following Pulis's departure, and two matches in late December 2014 to early January 2015 after Warnock's sacking. His overall caretaker record across these spells stood at 1 win, 3 draws, and 4 losses from 8 games, earning 6 points that helped steady the side during a precarious relegation fight in the 2014–15 season, where ultimately finished 11th to secure survival. As assistant manager, Millen played a key role in the club's achievements, including repeated Premier League survivals and a memorable run to the under Pardew, where Palace lost 2–1 to Manchester United after extra time. His experience as caretaker at Bristol City earlier in his career provided valuable preparation for these high-pressure interim roles at Palace. Millen left the club in January 2017 as part of a backroom staff reshuffle following Allardyce's arrival.

Milton Keynes Dons

In January 2018, Keith Millen was appointed assistant manager at Milton Keynes Dons in League One, joining new head coach Dan Micciche following the sacking of earlier that month. At the time, the club sat 21st in the table, just one point above the relegation zone, and Millen's experience from previous assistant roles at was seen as a stabilizing influence for the struggling side. On 22 April 2018, with MK Dons rooted to 23rd place and six points from safety after Micciche's mutual departure—having won only three of his 16 games in charge—Millen stepped up as for the final three matches of the 2017–18 season. His tenure began with a 2–0 away defeat to Bradford City on 24 April, followed by a 2–0 home loss to Scunthorpe United on 28 April, before securing a 1–0 victory away at Shrewsbury Town on 5 May. This record of one win and two losses yielded three points, but it proved insufficient to avoid relegation, as MK Dons finished 23rd and dropped into League Two. Millen's brief spell echoed the high-pressure caretaker duties he had undertaken at in 2017. He departed the club at the end of the season on 6 June 2018, when was appointed as the new permanent manager on a long-term contract.

Halmstads BK

In January 2019, Keith Millen joined as assistant coach to head coach Magnus Haglund, following a recommendation from former club manager , who had led to two league titles in the late . His recruitment was facilitated by discussions with Tony Karlsson and assistant Igor Krulj, aiming to infuse expertise into the squad. Millen, drawing on his prior assistant roles at and Milton Keynes Dons, signed a one-year contract to support the club's push for promotion. Millen's responsibilities encompassed structuring new training programs tailored to the squad's needs, emphasizing player development and tactical preparation for the campaign, while also managing the U21 team. He assisted Haglund in 25 matches before Haglund's departure in August 2019, then supported Krulj for the remaining 6 games, contributing to a solid mid-table finish of 6th place with 46 points from 30 matches (12 wins, 10 draws, 8 losses). Under his guidance, the U21 side achieved successes in the U21-Allsvenskan and the Cup, fostering youth integration into the senior setup. Millen adapted his English coaching methods—rooted in high-intensity sessions and defensive organization—to Swedish football's emphasis on technical proficiency and collective play, viewing the experience as a valuable cultural shift in player mentality. His tenure ended in December 2019 upon contract expiry, as he opted to return to for family reasons, leaving with praise for his professionalism and impact on team stability.

Örgryte IS

Keith Millen was appointed head manager of , a club in Sweden's , on 1 January 2020, shortly after his departure from . This position represented his first full managerial role abroad, leveraging his prior experience in Swedish football gained as an assistant coach at the previous year. The 2020 season faced significant disruptions due to the , with matches postponed until June and condensed into a Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday schedule upon resumption. Millen managed 26 league games during his tenure, recording 7 wins, 5 draws, and 14 losses, with the team scoring 25 goals and conceding 39 for a total of 26 points and an average of 1.00 point per match. He adapted training sessions to prepare the squad for the intensified fixture list while navigating limited in-person contact and remote planning in the early months. Millen's time at Örgryte emphasized tactical adaptation to the Swedish game's distinct player mentalities compared to English football, viewing the role as an opportunity to evolve his coaching profile. However, a poor run of form culminated in his suspension on 10 following a 3-1 cup defeat to third-division side Lödde IF, and he was officially sacked five days later on 15 . Örgryte IS concluded the season in 12th place under interim management.

Carlisle United

Keith Millen was appointed as Carlisle United's first-team manager on 26 October 2021, signing an 18-month contract following the dismissal of Chris Beech three weeks earlier. His immediate priority was to assess the existing squad and build player relationships to improve performance ahead of the January transfer window. During his tenure, Millen oversaw 22 matches across all competitions, including 17 League Two fixtures that yielded 4 wins, 4 draws, and 9 losses. The team maintained mid-table stability, contributing to Carlisle's 20th-place finish in the division with 53 points, though they fell short of playoff contention. Millen focused on squad overhaul, securing five new signings on transfer deadline day in January 2022 to bolster depth and address weaknesses. A key emphasis was defensive resilience, with Millen achieving multiple clean sheets through balanced play rather than a low-block approach, often holding more possession than opponents. He stressed the importance of understanding the local area to inform recruitment strategies, leveraging his extensive contacts for potential loans and transfers. This built on his prior international experience at , serving as preparation for lower-league management in . Millen also sought to promote youth integration, though specific examples were limited amid ongoing squad adjustments. Millen's time at the club ended on 23 February 2022 when he departed by mutual consent after a prolonged winless run in league matches, with Paul Simpson appointed as his replacement for the season's remainder.

Gillingham

Keith Millen joined Gillingham as head of academy coaching in April 2023, having previously been sacked from his role as head manager at Carlisle United in February 2022. Following the dismissal of manager Neil Harris on 5 October 2023, Millen stepped up from his academy position to serve as on an interim basis. During his tenure, Millen oversaw six matches across League Two and the , achieving two wins and four losses. His first game resulted in a 2–1 league victory over Milton Keynes Dons on 7 October, followed by a 5–1 cup defeat to on 10 October; subsequent league results included a 4–1 loss to on 14 October, a 2–1 home defeat to Notts County on 21 October, a 1–0 away win at Swindon Town on 24 October, and a 2–0 home loss to Newport County on 28 October. Millen emphasized refocusing the squad amid the upheaval of Harris's departure, urging players to deliver a positive response and prepare for competitive battles while praising the underlying squad quality for a potential play-off push. He implemented immediate adjustments to maintain team cohesion, drawing on his extensive experience in interim roles to steady operations during the transition. His spell concluded on 1 November 2023 with the appointment of as permanent head coach, after which Millen returned to his academy duties.

AFC Croydon Athletic

In November 2024, Keith Millen was appointed as manager of , a club in the South East Division, marking his return to his hometown of where he was born on 26 September 1966. The appointment was supported by the club's high-profile owners, including musician and former forward , who had invested in the non-league side to bolster its ambitions. This role represented Millen's first venture into non-league management after a career spent primarily in professional leagues and abroad. During his tenure, which lasted from 18 November 2024 to February 2025, Millen oversaw 14 matches in the , achieving a record of 3 wins, 4 draws, and 7 losses amid challenges with team form and player integration. He placed emphasis on strengthening community connections in and fostering youth development, drawing on his recent part-time role as an FA coach educator to nurture local talent. Millen's stint ended by mutual consent on 14 February 2025, following a period of poor results that left the club struggling in the division. The departure allowed the club to refocus ahead of the season's latter stages, with Millen expressing gratitude for the opportunity to manage in his birthplace.

Career statistics

Playing statistics

Keith Millen began his playing career with in 1984 and retired in 2003 after stints at and Bristol City, accumulating 523 league appearances and 27 goals across the Football League's lower divisions, including the Fourth, Third, and Second Divisions. In addition to league matches, he featured in domestic cup competitions, totaling 40 appearances with 1 goal, 37 appearances with 2 goals, and 37 appearances in other competitions (such as and the Football League Trophy) with no goals. These figures encompass his full record, with no international appearances. The following table summarizes Millen's appearances and goals by club and competition:
ClubCompetitionAppearances (substitute)Goals
Football League (Fourth, Third, Second Divisions)301 (4)17
18 (0)1
26 (0)2
Other30 (1)0
Football League (First, Second Divisions)163 (2)6
14 (0)0
10 (1)0
Other1 (0)0
Bristol CityFootball League (Second Division)59 (1)4
Bristol City8 (0)0
Bristol City1 (0)0
Bristol CityOther6 (0)0
Career Totals: 637 (9) appearances, 30 goals across all competitions.

Managerial record

Keith Millen's managerial record encompasses various stints as a caretaker and full-time manager across English and Swedish football, primarily in the second and third tiers of English football along with lower divisions. His tenures often involved stabilizing teams during transitions, with notable periods at Bristol City and where he served multiple times as interim boss. The following table summarizes his record in competitive matches, excluding any assistant roles without direct managerial responsibilities. Records are updated to his departure from in February 2025.
ClubFromToCompetitionPWDLWin %
Bristol City11 Sep 200526 Sep 2005311133.3
Bristol City19 Mar 201011 May 2010953155.6
Bristol City13 Aug 201003 Oct 20115718122731.6
24 Oct 201323 Nov 2013411225.0
15 Aug 201427 Aug 2014310233.3
27 Dec 201402 Jan 201520200.0
Milton Keynes Dons22 Apr 201806 Jun 2018League One310233.3
Örgryte IS01 Jan 202014 Oct 202026751426.9
Carlisle United26 Oct 202124 Feb 2022League Two22651127.3
Gillingham05 Oct 202331 Oct 2023League Two521240.0
18 Nov 202415 Feb 2025 South East1434721.4
Career Total: 148 matches, 45 wins, 34 draws, 69 losses, 30.4% win rate.

Honours

As a player

Keith Millen achieved several team honours during his playing career. With , he was a key member of the squad that won the championship in the 1991–92 season, securing promotion to the Second Division after finishing top of the league. At , Millen contributed to the club's success in the 1997–98 season, where they clinched the Second Division title and earned promotion to the First Division. The following year, in 1998–99, he helped gain promotion to the by winning the First Division play-off final against Bolton Wanderers at . Millen's time at Bristol City included reaching the Football League Trophy final in 2000, where the team finished as runners-up after a 2–1 defeat to Stoke City. On an individual level, Millen won the Supporters' Player of the Year and Brentford Players' Player of the Year awards in the 1991–92 season. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014 in recognition of his long service and contributions to the club over a decade, during which he made more than 300 appearances. He earned no international caps during his career.

As a manager

Throughout his managerial career, which spans multiple clubs in and up to his departure from in February 2025, Keith Millen did not secure any team honours at the senior level, including promotions, cup victories, or league titles as a head manager. On an individual basis, Millen's only formal recognition was the Manager of the Month award for November 2010, earned during his tenure at City after guiding the team to three wins in five matches and lifting them out of the relegation zone. While he contributed to City's run to the 2011 Championship play-offs, the team fell short in the semi-finals, marking a notable near-miss without ultimate success. Across stints at clubs such as Carlisle United, , Gillingham, and others, Millen's roles often involved stabilization efforts or caretaker duties, building a reputation for extensive coaching experience—over 17 years—rather than trophy accumulation, with no additional awards or collective achievements recorded.

References

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