Neil Harris steps down as Millwall manager
"I'm very surprised and it's a sad day for Millwall, to lose a Lions legend and to lose a manager," Alan Dunne tells Sky Sports News
Thursday 3 October 2019 23:22, UK
Neil Harris has stepped down as Millwall manager with assistant David Livermore also leaving The Den.
His last game in charge was the 1-1 draw away to Luton on Wednesday night.
Harris was the longest serving permanent manager in the Sky Bet Championship, having taken over at Millwall in March 2015 following several spells as caretaker boss.
The 42-year-old became the Lions' all-time leading goalscorer as a player, scoring 125 goal in two separate spells with the club.
He subsequently guided them to a promotion and two FA Cup quarter-finals while in charge.
Harris also helped establish Millwall as a Championship side in recent seasons and leaves the south London club 18th in the table.
Their last league victory came in the 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday on August 17.
Adam Barrett has been placed in temporary charge of the team and will lead them in Saturday's game against second-placed Leeds at The Den.
Millwall chairman John Berylson paid tribute to Harris in a statement on the club's official website.
"Firstly I would like to place on record my sincere gratitude to Neil for all of his hard work, commitment, determination and inarguable success as manager of this great football club," Berylson said.
"During his time in charge we have achieved so much and so many of his greatest moments as manager will live long in the memory of all Millwall fans fortunate to have seen and enjoyed them.
"Neil's achievements ensure that he is listed alongside some of the club's greatest-ever managers, furthering his legendary standing at Millwall.
"Alongside his coaching staff, Neil worked tirelessly to establish a culture both on and off the pitch which was befitting of the club's history and heritage and this has undoubtedly been achieved.
"He has laid tremendous foundations from which the club can continue to build on in the months and years ahead.
"Neil's name is synonymous with Millwall and he has always had the very best interests of the club at heart, managing with great pride, honour and integrity, and he departs with the best wishes of everyone connected with The Lions.
"Both Neil and David leave with their heads held high, forever friends of the club, and I wish them both every success in their future careers. They will always be welcome at The Den."
'Harris leaves with dignity and integrity intact'
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.
"I don't think it's based on last night's game. 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 held high and his dignity and integrity intact."
