Switching from player to coach at Burton 'natural'

John Brayford made more than 700 appearances across his career

Burton Albion's John Brayford says retiring as a player with the club he started his career with two decades ago to become a coach with the new-look Brewers felt like "natural progression".

The 36-year-old had been offered a new playing deal at the end of the season but, after 316 league appearances across three spells at Burton, he called time on his playing career to take on the job as first-team coach at the Pirelli Stadium.

The former Derby County, Sheffield United and Cardiff defender will work under head coach Mark Robinson, who is leading the revamp of the League One side on the pitch following a takeover by Sweden-based Nordic Football Group.

"Being part of a project of this magnitude is not something I take for granted," Brayford told BBC Radio Derby.

"We had a detailed conversation about where we saw the club going and what role they saw me doing, they explained everything in great detail to me.

"I’m grateful for the opportunity they have given me and hopefully I can give something back in return."

Brayford was a teenager in 2006 when he made his senior debut for Burton when they were still a non-league side.

He made 79 league appearances in his initial spell, then moved on to Crewe before going on to play in the Championship with Derby, Cardiff and Sheffield United.

In 2016 he returned for a loan spell at the Brewers when they were in the second tier, and he remained with them after making the move permanent in the summer of 2017.

"I've had the experience of playing in front of crowds at Burton Albion when they weren’t at their greatest to Wembley Stadium, so it has been fantastic," he said.

"I don't regret anything in my career and I've probably done it on heart, desire and dedication more than on talent. And whichever football club I've been at, they have respected that."

Brayford said last season's battle to avoid League One relegation demanded a lot of him and helped convince him to retire despite a lingering desire to play on.

"It probably wasn’t a difficult decision at my age and what my body has taken through the years," he added.

"Last year took quite a lot out of me and I’ve had the summer to reflect and you think ‘do you really want to go again?’ And while you do, the body says it can’t do it really."

And while a move into coaching was not something he planned for, Brayford said making the switch after Burton's takeover was fitting.

"Did I want to go down this route? I’d be lying if I said 'yes definitely', but it wasn’t a no at the same time," he said.

"It’s something that has naturally progressed from the end of last season to where we are now."