Millwall sack Joe Edwards after just three months as Neil Harris returns
Neil Harris has returned to Millwall as their new head coach after the Championship strugglers parted company with Joe Edwards after just three months on Wednesday.
Harris, a club legend and the Lions' all-time leading goalscorer, spent four-and-a-half years at the Den in his first managerial role before stepping down in October 2019. He was most recently head coach of League One outfit Cambridge United, who have received compensation for his services.
The 46-year-old has signed a contract until 2025. Reacting to the news he told Millwallfc.co.uk: "It's an absolute privilege to be here. To get the phone call to be asked to come back here was an honour - a surprise as well, it came out of the blue - but I'm galvanised and energetic. I want to be here.
"We're in a sticky situation at the moment, so there is work to be done quickly; full focus goes into the next couple of months."
Edwards was appointed by the Lions back at the start of November and is highly regarded in the game following a lengthy spell coaching at Chelsea, where he worked alongside the likes of Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel.
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But Edwards' reign at the Den has come to a premature end after winning just four of his 19 matches at the helm. The 37-year-old enjoyed a dream start with the Lions by thrashing Sheffield Wednesday 4-0 in his first match in charge back in November. But the Lions have struggled significantly since then, winning just three more games.
Millwall chairman James Berylson told the club website: “This has of course been a very tough time and it is not a decision that we have taken lightly.
Neil Harris is set to return to Millwall as head coach (James Baylis/AMA)“Joe has worked incredibly hard during his spell with us and it is with sincere regret that the move hasn’t worked out for both parties in the way we had anticipated. I cannot praise him highly enough for his professionalism, standards, values, and work ethic, and I am confident he will have a long and successful career as a head coach.
“I would like to thank Joe and Andy (Myers, assistant manager) for everything they’ve done for the club and wish them every success for the future.”
Millwall are currently languishing in 21st place after Saturday's defeat against Sheffield Wednesday - just a point and a place above the Championship relegation zone. The Lions have been perennial play-off contenders in recent years but have struggled this term.
Harris' former assistant, ex-Lions midfielder David Livermore, will rejoin the Londoners as part of his coaching team. First-team coach Adam Barrett will remain at the club but assistant Andy Myers - who followed Edwards from Chelsea - has left his role.
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