Next Millwall manager: Ex-Sunderland boss "in talks" as former West Ham man "approached" for vacancy
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Millwall’s search for a new manager is continuing as the Lions squad prepares for a Championship clash with Blackburn Rovers on Saturday afternoon. David Livermore will be in the dugout for the home side at the Den after being appointed as caretaker head coach earlier in the week.
Harris announced his departure earlier this month and took charge of games against Sheffield United and Middlesbrough last week before officially leaving his post. A host of names have been linked to the position with the Lions coming up with a lengthy shortlist. Former Arsenal reserves captain Stephen Bradley was the latest name to be linked with the role, with the Shamrock Rovers boss enjoying an impressive stint with the Dublin club, who faced Chelsea in the Europa League on Thursday. However, he is said to no longer be in the running as he addressed the links to the vacancy earlier this week.
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Hide AdHowever, according to The Mirror ex-Sunderland and Stoke City manager Alex Neil is a ‘strong contender’ to succeed Harris after positive talks with the Millwall hierarchy. The 43-year-old from Scotland has been out of management since being sacked by Stoke just over 12 months ago. He has twice been promoted in the EFL, winning the Championship play-offs with Norwich City in 2015 and the League One play-offs with Sunderland in 2022.
The former Preston boss has previously spoke of his desire to get back into management. He said: “I want to get... to be honest, I’d like to try and recreate what I had at Preston for those years - in terms of having a squad I really enjoy, having players that are hungry, want to make their way and want to achieve. You don’t come across it very often, but I was fortunate I managed to walk into the right changing room at the right time. I’d like to try and do that again.”
O’Neil approached after sacking
The same report in the Mirror claims that recently-sacked Wolves boss Gary O’Neil was approached by Millwall earlier this week after his departure from the Premier League club. The ex-West Ham, Portsmouth and Queens Park Rangers player was let go after defeats to West Ham and Ipswich Town. Wolves sit 19th in the Premier League, five points adrift of safety. Despite the reported approach, it is further claimed that a return to management with Millwall would be too soon for O’Neil with the ex-Bournemouth boss only sacked on Sunday.
Vitor Pereira was confirmed as Wolves’ new head coach on Thursday, as he signed an 18-month contract at Molineux ahead of games with Leicester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur before the end of the month. Club chairman Jeff Shi said: “We are delighted to welcome Vitor Pereira to Wolves as the new head coach of our men’s first team. Vitor is a highly respected and experienced coach who has achieved success across different leagues and will bring a new approach for the test ahead. This is a challenging moment for the club, and we want to thank Vitor for taking on this responsibility. We have full confidence in his ability to guide us back on track, alongside the players and staff, and the entire club will be united in supporting him to achieve success.”
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