Claridge leaves Lions

Millwall have parted company with manager Steve Claridge.

The Lions made the shock announcement on their website on Wednesday that Claridge has left his post as manager.

The club's board have decided that they need a new man at the helm before the start of the new season, with former Wolves and Walsall boss Colin Lee taking charge of first team affairs with immediate effect.

"Millwall football club have taken the decision to part with Steve Claridge as team manager," read a club statement.

"The Board of Directors believe that it is in the best interests of the club that this move is made now so that a new manager can be appointed quickly in advance of the start of the season.

"Colin Lee will be taking over with immediate effect.''

Millwall only parted company with player-manager Dennis Wise at the end of last season, with Claridge being appointed as their new boss in June.

The 39-year-old has now left The Den after just over a month in charge and having not taken charge of a competitive game.

Millwall's board has also been in turmoil, with Theo Paphitis leaving at the end of last season and being replaced by Jeff Burnige - who in turn stepped down after just two months in charge.

The move has taken a strange twist with the news that Claridge looks to have initiated to his own downfall, after asking the board to take Lee on as a coach.

The resulting discussion resulted in Claridge leaving the club and Lee being handed the job as new manager, but he insists he was not to blame.

"It was a decision that nobody really expected," said Lee. "Steve was going to ask them if I could help out with the coaching on a non-contract basis.

"I left Steve with [former chairman] Theo Paphitis and set off back to the Midlands after the game with Gillingham on Tuesday.

"Steve wanted to get the permission of the board to take me on, and the meeting ended with him being dismissed.

"But I have not done anything wrong, to Steve or to anyone else. It's not in my make-up."