Former Sunderland boss back in Championship management & facing Black Cats in spring
FORMER Sunderland boss Alex Neil has returned to Championship management after being named as the new head coach of Millwall.
The 43-year-old Scot replaces Neil Harris, who stepped down from the role earlier this month.
Neil had been out of work since being sacked by Stoke City last December, having previously managed Hamilton, Norwich, Preston and Sunderland.
He led Sunderland for six months in 2022, and was in charge when the Black Cats beat Wycombe Wanderers in the League One play-off final at Wembley.
His 24 games in charge of the club featured just three defeats, and he will be reunited with his former employers when Sunderland host Millwall at the Stadium of Light on March 29.
Millwall, who were led by caretaker boss David Livermore in their last three fixtures, sit 13th in the Championship table following Sunday’s goalless draw at Coventry.
Neil will take charge of the team for the first time when Oxford visit The Den on New Year’s Day.
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Millwall chairman James Berylson told the club website: “We’re excited to welcome Alex to the club. Having met with him over the last couple of weeks, I have really enjoyed his passion and energy for the role.
“We have a clear vision and strategy at the club that Alex is aligned with, and he has some really exciting ideas of how we can progress with those objectives and ambitions together across the entire club.
“All our support is there for Alex, and I can’t wait to see what he can do for us. I, alongside everybody at Millwall, wish him the very best as our new head coach.”
Neil guided Norwich to the Premier League through the Championship play-offs in 2015 before winning promotion with Sunderland. He will be assisted in south-east London by Martin Canning.
Lions director of football Steve Gallen said: “This has been a thorough and efficient recruitment process.
“Ultimately, Alex has an excellent track record in the Championship for results and development of young talent, as well as many other attributes that we feel confident will drive us forward as a club.”
