Neil Harris is back in football management – and former Millwall boss happy to win over Cardiff City supporters

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Neil Harris has admitted he needs to win over some Cardiff City fans – and the first hurdle is Charlton Athletic this weekend.

The 42-year-old quit as Millwall manager on October 9 but is back in management after signing a deal with the Welsh side until the summer of 2022.

Harris has appointed trusted lieutenant David Livermore as assistant boss. The pair are back in South London on Saturday for the televised Championship match at The Valley.

Some Cardiff supporters wanted a more high-profile appointment after Neil Warnock’s departure at the start of last week.

But Harris quickly emerged as the frontrunner for the role.

Asked about some Cardiff fans being underwhelmed by his appointment, Harris said: “I’m not on social media but I understand how the modern world works.

“I’m a football fan myself and everyone wants a big name – someone who has won the World Cup or the Premier League. I understand that.

“I’ve come from a club that is slightly different to the level that Cardiff is at. I mean no disrespect to Millwall, it is a wonderful club.

“I have to win people over and I’m prepared to do that.

“What won’t change is my mentality and work ethic – the fact that I’ll always do what I feel is best for Cardiff City. I played at Ninian Park as a Cardiff City player and I played against Cardiff City.

“I can promise we won’t fall short of competing, doing our best and having a work ethic.”

There has been talk that Harris is a natural successor to Warnock as both favour a direct brand of football.

“When I was at Millwall the demands were getting the ball forward quickly and the physical attributes of the game,” said Harris.

“Some of those principles I will stick to and some I want to adjust.

“I don’t think there is a Neil Warnock Mark II. He is his own man and I’m respectful towards that. I’m my own man.

“I’ve got to be respectful to the players I’ve got. I don’t want to come in and change it overnight, we can’t change it overnight. There has to be a process and it takes time.

“The aim is to get to the top six as quickly as we can. I’m not sitting here making any promises that it will be the top two or top six this season. We have to earn the right to do that. It is not easy when you come out of the Premier League.

“You win fans over by winning games of football and being yourself.

“Results dictate longevity in football management. The board want to be successful.”