Millwall’s search for a new manager is reaching its end, with Gary Rowett’s successor set to be revealed in the next week, according to South London News.
It was claimed earlier this week that the Lions had been forced into a change of plan after primary target Kevin Muscat turned down the opportunity to return to The Den, instead opting to stay at current club Yokohama F.Marinos. The 50-year-old had spent two seasons with Millwall between 2003 and 2005 as a player, and he has earned a stellar reputation coaching in Australia and Japan over the past decade.
This has seen him linked with a number of jobs, including that at Rangers earlier this season. However, he feels now is not the right time to move back to the United Kingdom, having recently penned a new deal with Yokohama.
This has seen Millwall move on in their search, with current caretaker boss Adam Barrett reportedly under consideration after steadying the ship since the departure of Rowett. However, former Luton Town and Southampton boss Nathan Jones could return to management after his ill-fated stint at the Saints last season.
The 50-year-old has ‘advanced through the process alongside recently departed Rangers manager Michael Beale and current England under-20 gaffer Joe Edwards.
Edwards emerged as a contender earlier this week, when the Daily Mail reported that the Championship side are keen to talk to the former Chelsea coach, who has built a reputation as one of the brightest up-and-coming coaches in English football.
Millwall currently sit 18th in the table and face a stern test tomorrow when they welcome promotion-hopefuls Southampton to South East London.
Writer’s View
Millwall are taking their time to name a successor for the outgoing Gary Rowett, and with good reason. They are a club that have long harboured ambitions of playing in the Premier League and they are keen to make an appointment with that goal in mind.
The question they will be asking themselves is, who is the best equipped to pull that off? Nathan Jones did an excellent job at Luton before leaving for St Mary’s, but endured a nightmare when taking the step up. Michael Beale’s reputation has taken a knock after his stint at Rangers, but holds Championship pedigree.
Joe Edwards is untested but could represent a golden opportunity to steal a manager who is likely to be snapped up elsewhere in the coming months.
Head of Writing
