Former Pompey defender Alexander Milosevic has found a new role in football following his retirement from playing in January.

Alexander Milosevic proved a ‘big influence’ at Pompey last term, despite never making an appearance for John Mousinho’s side as the Blues successfully navigated their way out of relegation trouble over the second half of last season.

Now the former Sweden international is hoping to have an equally effective impact behind the scenes in his latest role that won’t involve donning his boots again.

Indeed, those days are well an truly a thing of the past for the 34-year-old ex-centre-back, who announced his retirement from playing in January - eight months after his Fratton Park departure.

The decision was taken to hang up the boots after a 16-year career that incorported 242 appearances for clubs like AIK Stockholm, Nottingham Forest and Besiktas, plus nine international caps, as Milosevic focused on the next stage of his career.

And that next career opportunity hasn’t been long in coming, with the now former defender appointed the new scouting and recruitment manager at the academy of former club AIK.

There, the club legend will be reponsible for bringing through the next generation of players into the 12-times Swedish champions’ senior ranks - the perfect way to repay a club he has been a part of on three separate occasions.

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Milosevic’s new chapter

Heading back for a fourth time, Milosevic said: ‘This will be a new chapter in my life that feels great.

‘During all my years as a footballer, scouting is something that I have been interested in and when Peter Wennberg (technical director) described this approach, the hair on my arms stood up.

‘Having the opportunity to help make AIK's academy better lit a flame in me.’

Welcoming the former Pompey defender back to the Strawberry Arena, Wennberg said: During his rehabilitation period and during his playing break in the men's team, he has been enterprising and participated in the academy's activities, where he has cultivated understanding and insights that are abilities we have sought.

‘Now the time has come and it is a logical career transition that many have looked forward to and given energy in the direction of.

‘We know that this function is important to support with an elite playing career in order to get the right frames of reference in conversations with young players, but also understanding of the context and identity of the club.

‘Alexander knows what AIK means and knows his Stockholm, which ties into particularly significant qualities that we want to hone in to be able to wear the emblem in an elite environment .’

‘Unfortunately, it didn’t work out’ -Mousinho thanks Milosevic

Milosevic arrived at Fratton Park last March as injury issues in the centre of Pompey’s defence piled up.

With Hayden Matthews, Conor Shaughnessy and loanee Rob Atkinson out of action at the time, Blues were forced to seek reinforcements in the free-agents market.

The Swede answered their call, but was unable to make a Blues appearance following a calf injury picked up at the beginning of April.

The experienced campaigner’s presence proved invaluable, though, according to Mousinho, as Pompey finished their first season back in the Championship in 16th place.

Speaking at the end of last season, the Blues boss said: ‘Alex has been really unlucky. He wanted to play, we wanted him to play, but unfortunately it didn’t work out. We thought it was the best thing to do - and if you gave me the option to do that again I would do exactly the same thing.

‘The one thing I would say about Alex is he hasn’t set foot on the pitch, but he’s been a big influence around the place. Having an international here, having that calm head and still being involved, we are very, very grateful for that.

‘When we were looking at signing him, we asked the board for extra funds and the answer was: “Absolutely, you do what you need to do” - as it always is. That was over and above the budget.

‘However, our take to them was that it might be wasted, we might get through the rest of the season without needing to use this player. But we’re bringing a player in to use him if we can.

‘It wasn’t like we paid a fee, we just needed an extra body, we needed someone who we knew would be good if he came in and played. Unfortunately Alex got injured, but there was nothing lost from our standpoint.’

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