Liverpool legend backs James Milner for coaching return under Andoni Iraola

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Liverpool legend Sammy Lee has suggested James Milner would make an excellent addition to Andoni Iraola's backroom team, following the former Reds midfielder's recent retirement from footballJames Milner is weighing up his next move(Image: Getty Images)Liverpool legend Sammy Lee reckons James Milner would be the perfect addition to Andoni Iraola's revamped backroom staff at Anfield.Milner formally announced his retirement from football earlier this month after 24 years in the Premier League, including eight seasons with the Reds, during which he secured six trophies including the 2019 Champions League and the following year's Premier League title.Liverpool have yet to officially announce any appointments alongside Iraola, who penned a two-year contract last week, though it's believed the Basque manager is keen to bring Pablo de la Torre, Tommy Elphick, Shaun Cooper and Tom Webber to the club.Speaking to Redmen TV, former Reds player Lee, who notched up nearly 300 appearances for the club between 1977 and 1987, believes Iraola would be wise to attempt bringing Milner back into the fold."I know Millie from a player when I was with England Under-21s," Lee said. "He's a very demanding, very demanding professional, which is great, great for me because he tests me all the time.", reports the Liverpool Echo."He tested me all the time, which I loved, I loved.

And as long as I had the answers for him, it'd be great."And I think, I think, again, it's not for me to pick Andoni's backroom staff, far from it, but you've asked me the question. I think certainly I'd love something like that."I'd love something like Thiago (Alcantara), but I'd certainly love someone like, like Millie because as I say to you, he drives standards on and off the pitch."And I think sometimes, I'm sure if you speak to Jurgen (Klopp), he'll tell you that the likes of Millie and Jordan Henderson, you know, they drove the ethos, they drove the the philosophy, they drove the culture."New Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola(Image: Getty Images)Lee, who was part of Roy Hodgson's coaching staff at Anfield in 2010, also admitted he did not like the nature of how Arne Slot's dismissal played out, 12 months after lifting the Premier League title.Lee added: "I know I'll upset a lot of people, but I'm only being honest, you know.

I was not a fan [of how it happened]."But again, I repeat, although I was arguing for [Slot] to stay and be given another chance, I was losing the argument with every performance, with every performance, because let's be perfectly frank with you, it got worse. And it wasn't Liverpool-esque, it wasn't Liverpool type of football."You know, I don't like talking about styles of football and types of football because that's been used against me too, for me to leave a position, whether it be at this club or at other clubs, you know."So, I wasn't a fan [of sacking Slot], but I fully understand it."