Millwall are set to approach legendary EFL manager Neil Warnock as they look to replace Gary Rowett, according to reports in The Football Insider.
The Lions and Rowett went their separate ways on Wednesday with the club sitting 15th in the Championship table after 11 matches with many believing that the former Birmingham City manager had taken the club as far as he could having missed out on the playoffs last term.
Rowett himself has spoken on the mutual parting insisting he was not sacked and that the time was right to leave. He told The Standard, “If I’m being honest, it just felt the right time. You know as a manager and you know as a club – it just feels like it needs something a little different.”
“That was kind of fundamental to the decision. It was a mutual thing. I know sometimes people say: ‘Oh, he’s been sacked and that’s how they have put it out’ – but it genuinely was [mutual].”
Now, as the Lions begin their search for a new manager, Warnock’s name has been strongly linked. The former Sheffield United boss has recently left Huddersfield Town having saved the Terriers from relegation to League One last season and insisted he wanted to continue in management and had no desire to retire just yet.
The Football Insider report insists that Warnock fits the profile that the Millwall hierarchy is looking for; a manager with a proven track record of promotion and one who knows the division. Warnock not only knows the division but has achieved promotion from it, or its predecessor, on four occasions amongst his record of eight career promotions.
Writer’s View
Neil Warnock’s record of earning promotions is remarkable as are the rescue missions he has undertaken at Rotherham United and Huddersfield Town. It is, therefore, no surprise that his name appears in the rumours when managers lose their jobs but whether Millwall will approach the 74-year-old is questionable. If the club are looking for a long-term solution then Warnock may not be the right man to turn to. However, with the Lions sitting only three points from the playoff spots the promotion expert could be the perfect short-term choice.
It would be an interesting appointment, to say the least, particularly with the history the manager and the club have after several run-ins, most famously when Warnock was in charge of the Blades and Phil Jagielka ended up in goal with the blame firmly placed at former Millwall man Kevin Muscat’s door.
