Former Coventry City boss 'in contention' to replace Neil Harris

Millwall are on the hunt for a new manager after Neil Harris’ imminent departure was announced earlier this week

Former Coventry City, Rotherham United and Barnsley manager Mark Robins is reportedly “in contention” to replace Neil Harris at Millwall. Head coach Harris’ planned departure was surprisingly announced earlier this week ahead of the midweek clash against Sheffield United.

The 47-year-old’s final game will be against Middlesbrough this weekend, after a club statement said a mutual agreement had been reached for the head coach to step down. Harris returned to Millwall in February and picked up 26 points from the next 33 on offer to take the Lions out of the Championship relegation battle. When addressing who the club’s next head coach would be Lions Chairman, James Berylson, said: “As we look forward, the appointment of our next head coach will align with the clear strategy and vision I have previously laid out for the future of Millwall Football Club, both on and off the pitch.”

Director of Football, Steve Gallen, added: “A comprehensive recruitment process is already underway for a new head coach. The direction we as a club want to head in is clear and the next head coach will play a pivotal role in helping us execute our strategy.”

According to Football Insider, Mark Robins is in contention for the Millwall hot-seat with the club ‘planning to hold talks’ with the 54-year-old who was surprisingly sacked by Coventry City last month. Robins was the third longest-serving manager in English football when he was dismissed, after spending close to eight years in charge at the Sky Blues. The decision was widely criticised with Frank Lampard appointed to replace the Lancashire-born manager.

Robins had a successful career as a player, starting out with Manchester United. He scored a goal for the Red Devils against Nottingham Forest in the 1989-90 FA Cup, and was later credited with easing the pressure on Sir Alex Ferguson at the time. He went on to play for the likes of Norwich City, Leicester City, Rotherham United and Sheffield Wednesday among others. He started his managerial career with the Millers and also managed Barnsley, Huddersfield Town and Scunthorpe United. He had two spells in charge at Coventry, first managing between 2012 and 2013 before returning in 2017.

"The club is well aware that this is a difficult moment after over seven very successful years at the helm and this decision is not taken lightly," Coventry City said in a statement on their website when Robins was sacked. "The performance of the team over an extended period, however, has just not been good enough and as such the board of the club has decided to make an immediate change in leadership."