Neil Harris explains Millwall decision and hopes for final game against Middlesbrough

Neil Harris has offered an explanation for his shock Millwall departure, with the Lions legend set to take charge of his final game at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Harris returned for a second spell in charge of Millwall in February and has steered the club to a solid start to the new season. However, after a weekend defeat to Coventry City, it was announced that Harris would step down after the Boro game this weekend in what was described as a mutual decision.

Harris then took charge of his final game at the Den on Wednesday evening as his side were beaten 1-0 by Sheffield United, after which Harris gave further detail on his decision, while expressing his hope for Saturday’s trip to the Riverside.

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Harris told the club website: “I’m massively proud of what we achieved. It was a bit surreal really tonight, realising this would be my last game at the Den as the Millwall manager. I’ll be back as a fan and a friend of the club, and who knows what else at some stage.

“I’ve been fortunate in the last 25 or so years as a player, coach and manager to have such an association with this club and I’m so proud of all we’ve achieved. I can only thank James Berylson for bringing me back to the club. I just feel it’s the right time for someone else to take this group of players forward.

“There’s a transfer window coming up that’s going to be vitally key. A new guy can come in in the next few weeks and they can have this transfer window and the summer one to really put their stamp on this squad. It’s been brilliant and there’s been some great moments.

“There are many reasons behind the decision ultimately, but it’s not the time to talk about that now. It’s a privilege to be Millwall manager and that’s still mine for the next 72 hours and then that mantle passes on.”

Having suffered back to back defeats to Coventry and Sheffield United ahead of the trip to Teesside, Millwall are 13th in the Championship and haven’t won any of their last five. However, prior to their two losses, they were unbeaten in nine games, which included home wins over Burnley and Leeds United.

On his hopes for Middlesbrough, Harris continued: “I just said to the boys in the dressing room, it’s been a strange 48 hours and there have been a few tears. The news did stun a lot of people, but that’s why it was important to get the news out there.

“I’m gutted we’ve not got anything out of tonight’s game because that’s back to back home defeats. I don’t want to finish on three defeats. We don’t deserve that after everything we’ve achieved over the last ten months. So I’ll pick a team at the weekend that will be the ultra professional team that our dressing room is and we’ll rely on our ability and the culture that we’ve got here to make sure we put in a positive performance.

“I didn’t feel that it was right to leave caretakers in charge for Sheffield United at home, the best team in the league, and Middlesbrough away, who are also very, very good.I take those two really tough fixtures and leave the pathway for someone to come in.

“It’s not an easy game against Blackburn at home. But then it leaves the football club with five games, leading up to and including Sheffield Wednesday, for someone to assess the squad on a daily basis and within games leading up to the transfer window.”