James Milner says he’s “fairly open” to extending his enjoying profession past this season, however the Brighton midfielder is undecided on whether or not he’ll signal a brand new deal.
The 40-year-old grew to become the Premier League’s report look maker final weekend, stepping out for the 654th time within the division throughout Brighton’s 2-0 win at Brentford.
Fabian Hurzeler stated final month he hoped Milner, who surpassed Gareth Barry’s earlier report, would stay with the Seagulls for an additional season, together with his present contract set to run out in June.
Whereas the previous England worldwide can be tempted, he stated he was at the moment weighing up the subsequent step.
“I feel issues change in a short time in soccer, and I feel if you get to my age, issues change in a short time as effectively,” he stated.
“After I take a look at the place I used to be final yr – not having the ability to elevate my foot for six months – to the place I’m this yr, and even the place I used to be perhaps six weeks in the past the place I wasn’t enjoying too many minutes and issues weren’t going too effectively, you’re annoyed.
“However then I’ve performed extra minutes within the final two video games and if you’re a part of a win, it’s simpler to show round and say: ‘Sure, I’d like to do one other yr’.
“I’m fairly open at this second in time. Whether or not I’ll or whether or not I gained’t [continue playing], I’m unsure. We haven’t had any conversations, so clearly the membership need to have an interest as effectively.
“I stated earlier within the season: ‘let’s get to February and see the place we’re at’, and I do know we’re there now, so we’ll see what occurs.
“At this second in time, I’m simply doing my work daily, and issues can change shortly. At this second in time, I’m very open to it, and hopefully, the previous couple of video games have proved that I can nonetheless contribute on the sphere.”
Again on the Amex on Sunday… pic.twitter.com/ZSjKAzsq67
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) February 27, 2026
Milner, within the twilight of his 24-year skilled profession, is aware of retirement just isn’t too far-off, and is undecided as to what he’ll do after lastly hanging up his boots.
“I feel it’s a tricky query to know when’s the correct time, as a result of I really feel like I can nonetheless do it now,” he added.
“However do you get to the purpose the place you may’t? Is that too lengthy? I completed the sport on the weekend and among the boys went: ‘you may’t retire this yr, you’ve received to go once more subsequent yr’. So I feel that’s at all times a tricky determination to get the correct time.
“I really feel just like the teaching aspect I’ve been uncovered to, when it comes to a bit final yr right here and the badges I’ve finished, curiosity me at occasions.
“However Jurgen [Klopp] at all times stated, everytime you end, that you must have a relaxation and a break immediately, and I feel that’s fairly interesting at this second in time.”
“Generally, [management] appeals to me, for certain. After which different occasions, you see managers getting a brand new contract and getting sacked in two months, and I simply don’t assume individuals get the time they deserve now.
“I really feel like I’ve received a improbable data of individuals I’ve labored beneath from again to Terry Venables and Sir Bobby Robson, and then you definitely undergo to the present supervisor now. So in a method I feel it’d be a giant disgrace to lose all that data and expertise I’ve constructed as much as not be capable of use that.”