Shaun Williams still got a big playing part at Millwall as boss Gary Rowett underlines why time was right for him to land coaching role

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Gary Rowett has spelled out that Shaun Williams is still firmly in his playing plans despite the Millwall midfielder taking his first steps into coaching.

We exclusively revealed on our website earlier this week that the 33-year-old was a key part of backroom changes.

Adam Barrett is now the permanent assistant manager after a caretaker spell as Rowett’s number two in the closing months of the Championship campaign following Callum Davidson’s decision to take charge at St Johnstone.

But Kevin Nugent will return to his role as U23 boss with Williams, who has accrued 266 matches for the South London club, taking on a player-coach role.

“I thought there was a chance to strengthen the whole staff and not just one area,” said Millwall manager Rowett. “I needed to move one or two people around and give some opportunities.

“Ad’s an obvious one. He’s done really, really well. He’s been excellent in terms of his work. He’s earned the right to step up.

“When I chatted to Willo earlier in the season, you realise he’s a really intelligent lad. He’s quite quiet – not an overtly loud lad – but when he says stuff the other boys listen. I’ve had a couple of good chances to talk to him. He’s taking his coaching badges and coming to the stage in his career where he’s starting to think about other things.

“I felt I needed to get someone younger and maybe not too distant from the dressing room, in terms of what they are thinking.

“What you’ve got to remember is that at a club like Millwall you’re not dealing all afternoon with a lot of politics and different things that a manager might deal with. So my morning is actually quite simple – I coach. I’m out on the training ground.

“I’m not the sort of manager who leaves everything to my coaches and I need them to constantly be working on them.

“Me and Adam will be doing the bulk of the coaching and Willo will be doing some bits and also some development pieces as well.

“I think it will be a really different mix but quite a good complement.”

Williams featured 34 times for Millwall in the 2019-20 campaign. And Rowett is clear he expects him to add to that total despite the emergence of youngster Billy Mitchell and the return of Ryan Woods on loan.

“When I came into the club a lot of people said that maybe Willo is just starting to lose that bit of energy or what is required,” said the Lions chief.

“But the first few games he played he was as fit as everyone else and gets up and down as much as everyone else.

“And in terms of football intelligence and giving you a little bit of control with the ball when you’re trying to pass it and keep a team pinned it – he’s probably been the best one in the midfield all season.

“If you look at the game against Huddersfield [the 4-1 win on the final day], if you just judge him on that performance – and not how old he is or how long he’s been at the club – he was head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch.

“He’s still going to be playing and he’s still important. I spoke to him and said that is the most important bit – he’ll still be playing and he won’t be compromised. But when he’s not playing then he’ll step into meetings, he’ll step into a session and he’ll step into development.

“The priority is on playing. I’ll pick his brains whether he is playing or not. I’ll treat him exactly the same.”

Rowett is also set to add another member of staff who specialises in feedback of player data and sports science.