Bristol Rovers legend Rickie Lambert has taken his first steps in coaching after being appointed as youth development phase coach at Wigan Athletic.
Lambert has joined the Latics academy to work with the next generation of talent from ages 13-16 and was part of the staff for the triumph in the Professional Development League Cup final against Peterborough United over the weekend. A brace from Reece Greenhalgh and Elijah Igiehon secured a 3-1 victory over the Posh.
The 41-year-old retired in 2017 after 712 professional appearances for, most notably, the Gas, Stockport County, Rochdale, Southampton, Liverpool and England and has various business interests on Merseyside.
However, the popular frontman has been looking to get back into the game and after first studying for his coaching badges during his days at St Mary’s is now part of the academy set-up at the DW Stadium, with the Latics holding Category Two status. Wigan will also be League One opponents of Rovers next season following their relegation from the Championship.
Lambert remains a revered figure in north Bristol having struck 59 goals in 155 games for the Gas, before his move to Southampton in 2009 propelled him to stardom, making and scoring on his international debut for England in 2013 aged 31.
After enjoying a fine Premier League career with Saints and hometown club Liverpool, he went on to play for West Brom and Cardiff City before hanging his boots up in October 2017 following his exit in south Wales.
In 2020, he named his stunning volley for Rovers against Luton Town in September 2007 as the finest goal of his career. “The best goal I’ve ever scored was for Bristol Rovers, a volley,” he said. “It dropped from the sky about 40 yards out and I’ve hit it without bouncing. Top corner, top bin. The keeper was on his line and he didn’t even dive for it. It went that fast, right into the top corner.”
He also returned to Bristol in 2019 to appear in the Martin Belsten Memorial Match, scoring an outrageous lob from the halfway line at Mangotsfield United’s Cossham Street ground.
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