Cardiff announce Neil Harris as new manager
Saturday 16 November 2019 14:31, UK
Cardiff have confirmed former Millwall boss Neil Harris as their new manager, succeeding Neil Warnock.
Harris, 42, stepped down as Millwall manager last month, having guided them to a promotion and two FA Cup quarter-finals while in charge, and has signed a contract with Cardiff until the summer of 2022.
He replaces Warnock, who left by mutual consent after a tough start to life back in the Sky Bet Championship. The 70-year-old guided them to Premier League promotion in 2017/18, but they were relegated after just one season, with the club seeking a "younger" manager to replace him.
Harris was the longest-serving permanent manager in the Championship when he left Millwall in October - with the club 18th in the table - having taken over in March 2015. He moves to Cardiff alongside David Livermore, who becomes assistant manager, continuing their partnership at The Den.
Cardiff currently sit 14th in the Championship, one place ahead of Harris' former side.
"I have full confidence in Neil due to his principles on and off the pitch and enthusiasm to succeed," Cardiff owner Vincent Tan told the club's official website.
"I am glad to offer him this opportunity and look forward to seeing what he is capable of achieving with Cardiff City."
Mehmet Dalman, Cardiff chariman, said: "Neil is a passionate manager who has all of the right attributes to take the helm at Cardiff City.
"I know he's eager to get to work and we look forward to seeing him strive to get the best out of our tight-knit and talented group of players."
Cardiff's executive director and CEO Ken Choo added: "We're excited to welcome Neil to Cardiff City Stadium.
"He will work hard to deliver for this Football Club and is a manager with the ambition and potential to lead the Bluebirds forward."
Harris became Millwall's all-time leading goalscorer as a player, scoring 125 goals in two separate spells with the club.
Another player synonymous with Millwall - Alan Dunne, who played 388 times for the club - believes Harris may have felt he had done as much as he could at The Den.
"I'm very surprised and it's a sad day for Millwall, to lose a Lions legend and to lose a manager," Dunne told Sky Sports News last month.
"It might have been on his mind for a while and he may have thought he can take the club as far as he can take them and they needed a change.
"What he achieved for the club, with two Wembley trips, promotion and two FA Cup quarter-finals, he still leaves with his head held high and his dignity and integrity intact."
Harris will take charge of his first game on November 23 when Cardiff travel to Charlton.
