'Spur you on' - New Millwall manager already made key statement ahead of taking job

Millwall have sacked manager Joe Edwards after six defeats in their last seven, plunging the club into a relegation dogfight in the Championship.

The Sun reports that the death knell has been sounded for the 37-year-old with official confirmation from the club expected to come today. Millwall have already identified Edwards' replacement in former club hero and current Cambridge United head coach Neil Harris.

The London club sit 21st in the Championship table, just one place and one point above QPR and the relegation zone. A 2-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Sheffield Wednesday at The Den on Saturday proved the final blow for Edwards with testing meetings against Southampton and Watford up next for the side.

Edwards was appointed Millwall boss in November 2023 and has seen his tenure last under four months. The coach had previously worked in the England youth set-up and with the Chelsea academy before taking on the role from Gary Rowett. It was his first in senior management.

It has been widely reported that Harris will step into the fold, leaving Cambridge United 17th in League One. The 46-year-old, who managed the Lions between 2015 and 2019, also made over 200 appearances for the club as a player.

Harris' appointment is likely to be a favourable one with supporters as the manager returns following stints at Cardiff City and Gillingham United, as well as the U's. When at Millwall previously, the boss led the side to a League One play-off final twice, winning promotion to the Championship on the second attempt in 2017. The Lions also enjoyed an FA Cup run to the quarter-finals under Harris, beating Premier League sides Bournemouth, Watford and Leicester City in the process.

In an interview with the Evening Standard in 2020, Edwards admitted that he would 'always take notice of what they [Millwall] are doing' ahead of visiting The Den with Cardiff City. He also unknowingly hinted at what he would need from supporters in the present day.

The Millwall legend added: “There are a lot of similarities in the passion of the fan bases. Cardiff City Stadium for the big games that I've played in there and now obviously managed huge, huge games, and the fans really can be the turning point.

“I think the same would be said of Millwall, when they need a bit of support the fans get behind you and can really spur you on. I think they're another side at the moment that particularly at home are missing their fan base."

Edwards will no doubt be hoping to feel the support of the ardent Lions fanbase once again as he endeavours to sink his teeth into the challenge of Championship survival. While Harris' love for the club has been reiterated since his departure, his previous quotes also hint at the challenges he is prepared to face in the coming weeks.

Reflecting in 2020, he said: “Building a long-term project at Millwall was exciting and fulfilling. Then leaving there at what I believe was the right time and coming to Cardiff and, in some ways, starting again, building a club from academy upwards is a great project as well.

“Gary's come in and taken over the baton and done a brilliant job, a great job. It's not always easy working with other people's players, but I like to think I left him with a good core group of players and he's done exceptionally well."