Spackman eager for fresh start

Nigel Spackman insists he is not perturbed by the rapid turnover of managers at Millwall.

New Millwall manager Nigel Spackman insists he is not perturbed by the rapid turnover of managers at The Den as he bids to lift The Lions out of the doldrums.

Spackman was announced as the club's new manager on Tuesday and succeeds David Tuttle, who failed to prevent the club from dropping out of The Championship.

The former Sheffield United and Barnsley boss, who has been out of football management since leaving Oakwell in October 2001, cannot wait to get to grips with his new job.

"Sometimes you get the bug to get into it again and get your mind working again and give you something to get out of bed for in the morning," Spackman told Sky Sports News.
 
"I've done my pro-licence and certificate in applied management at Warwick Business School and while I've been out I've been working for Sky so I think it's about time I got the tracksuit out again and the shorts and got out on the training field and put my mind to that.
 
"I think I'll be the fifth manager in 12 months but hopefully Millwall has dropped as far as it's going to go and it's an opportunity for me to come in with a new board."
 
Spackman has also called on the Millwall support to get behind the new regime and believes they could play a pivotal role in reviving the club who just two years ago were rubbing shoulders with Manchester United in the FA Cup final.

"We have a fantastic support here. I've played here for Chelsea and Liverpool and I know what the fans are like," added Spackman.
 
"Hopefully we can give this club a big boost because it needs it at the moment."

Meanwhile, Spackman has been given an early welcome present by Ben May's decision to sign a new two-year contract.

Last season's top goalscorer put pen-to-paper on Wednesday and expressed his pleasure with the appointment of Spackman.

"I never had any doubt that I wanted to stay at Millwall but I just wanted to hang on and wait until a new manager was in place," May told the club's official website.

"I am confident that under Nigel Spackman we will be challenging for an instant return to The Championship."