Millwall academy manager on his longevity in role

Scott Fitzgerald has explained the main reason he has stayed at Millwall so long – the working environment.

The 52-year-old joined the Lions as academy manager not long after his contract as Brentford boss was ended in April 2007.

“When I came I didn’t envisage being here this long,” said Fitzgerald, who retired as a player while on the Bees’ books in 2005. “I’ve said it in numerous interviews – the reason I want to be here is the owner, the people I’ve worked for and the people I work with. I feel so lucky.

“Every manager I have worked with at Millwall has been brilliant towards me and the academy. It’s right the way back to my first manager, Kenny Jackett. I seem to have built relationships with all the managers and I’ve had a couple of chief execs.

“It’s the small things. My son comes to most of the home games and everyone talks to him like he works here. I just like the way we are all treated. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time, long may it continue.”

Millwall have bought land in West Kingsdown with the view to obtaining planning permission for a new training ground. The new base would open up the possibility of trying to obtain category 1 status.

“The facilities would allow us to go to cat 1,” said Fitzgerald. “It’s not in the immediate plans but it’s within our grasp if we move to the new site and then ever wanted to do it.

“The big thing with cat 1 is facilities. We wouldn’t be able to achieve that at the moment.”