Neil Harris has stepped down from his job as head coach of Millwall just days after he called some of their fans “thickos” following a defeat by Coventry.

The south London club confirmed Harris, who is also the club’s all-time top goal-scorer, will depart following Saturday’s trip to Middlesbrough after the decision was reached by mutual consent.

Harris returned for a second stint as manager of Millwall in February with the club just one point above the relegation zone and went on to steer them to 13th in the Championship. This season the club are six points off the play-off positions and have just experienced one defeat in their past 10 matches.

The defeat came at the hands of Frank Lampard’s Coventry on Saturday, after which Harris used his press conference to take aim at a section of the Millwall fans.

“We just looked like a team that was trying really hard and just lacked the moments,” the 47-year-old said following the 1-0 loss.

“That’s where I think people have to get their head out of clouds and realise we’ve done well to achieve what we’ve achieved so far and how tough it is for us as a group. Right at the end, we’re putting the ball in the box and one of the young centre-forwards and young wingers are standing outside the penalty area. It just shows we’ve got a lot of learning in front of us. That’s just levels, isn’t it.”

“That’s levels and that’s why you rely on players to have those moments and we lacked that level today. You miss Romain [Esse], you miss Japhet [Tanganga] and you miss Jake Cooper. Three players that probably get in anybody’s Championship team.

“So just a reminder to people, the thickos, that when you take the three best players out of the team that this is Millwall Football Club.”

Harris first managed Millwall between 2015-19 before handing in his resignation in mid-season because he felt the time was right and cited similar reasons when explaining his decision this time around.

“Everyone knows this club is more than a job to me, it’s my club, and always will be,” Harris said in a letter to Millwall fans.“I always said when I returned that I would leave when the time felt right, and now is that time.”

Chairman James Berylson added: “After discussions with Neil in recent days, he felt it was the right time to step down from the role following the Middlesbrough game and I have accepted his decision.”

A club statement revealed recruitment is underway for a successor, with Harris staying in charge for Wednesday’s match against Sheffield United at The Den and Saturday’s trip to the Riverside.