Neil Harris: I always knew there was another chapter to write in my Millwall career

Neil Harris always believed there would be another chapter in his Millwall career – with the club’s all-time record goalscorer appointed as their new head coach yesterday.

The Lions legend, 46, was brought back for a second managerial spell at the Championship side after they sacked Joe Edwards after just 19 matches in charge.

Harris has won promotion as a player and as a boss with Millwall but his target now is to secure survival. The relegation-threatened Lions are at Southampton on Saturday.

The former Cardiff City, Gillingham and Cambridge United boss opted to step down as Millwall manager in October 2019. But he told the South London Press that at that time he had made “an agreement” with Millwall’s late owner John Berylson, who lost his life in a car accident just before the start of the season, that he would return if the club was ever in an hour of need.

“I knew I’d always come back – that I’d be back at the football club in some capacity,” said Harris.

“I really felt, as most people did, that I had unfinished business to come back – maybe as head coach or manager, whatever format like that.

“I’ve had such good times at the football club. I enjoyed working with the football club so much – it’s such a privileged position for me.

“When I left in October 2019, I resigned at the time, but made an agreement with John that one day, if the club needed me, I would always come back and help out – in whatever capacity.

“I feel now is a really good time for me to come back – emotionally, mentally and physically I’m in a good place with managing.

“I feel I’ve got the energy to galvanise the football club – to unite the terraces and the pitch. Hopefully to reignite the Millwall spirit.”

See tomorrow’s South London Press for more from Harris on his Millwall return.