Millwall Football Club has reached an agreement to appoint Alex Neil as their new head coach.
The 43-year-old is expected to take charge early next week, with his first match at The Den set to be a home fixture against Oxford United.
Neil to Take the Helm at Millwall
Neil’s appointment comes following the departure of Neil Harris earlier this month. David Livermore, who has served as caretaker manager, will remain on the backroom staff once Neil officially assumes the role. Livermore, a long-time assistant to Harris, will lead the team for their Championship clash against Coventry City tomorrow.
The Lions are currently 13th in the Championship standings, having lost 2-1 to Norwich City on Boxing Day. Millwall’s board reportedly shortlisted Neil alongside Wycombe Wanderers boss Matt Bloomfield and Steve Schumacher, formerly of Plymouth Argyle and Stoke City, before deciding on the experienced Scotsman.
Proven Track Record of Success
Neil boasts an impressive managerial résumé, with 467 matches across five clubs. His career began at Hamilton Academicals in April 2013, where he achieved promotion to the Scottish Premiership. Subsequent roles saw him guide Norwich City to the Premier League via the play-offs in 2015 and secure promotions with Sunderland and Hamilton.
Neil’s most recent role at Stoke City ended in December 2023. Since then, he has taken time to reflect on his next steps. Speaking in May, Neil shared his thoughts on finding the right challenge:
“Every club you walk into, when you lift the bonnet up and look under it, you think: ‘Oo, right, ok, it’s a little bit different than what I thought.’ For me, I’ll just look for the next challenge… I’d like to try and recreate what I had at Preston – having a squad I really enjoy, players that are hungry, want to make their way, and want to achieve.”
Millwall’s Next Chapter
Neil brings a wealth of experience and a reputation for building cohesive, competitive squads. His success with Preston North End, where he created a balanced and motivated team, could serve as a model for his approach at The Den. With the club currently mid-table, Neil’s challenge will be to galvanise Millwall and push them towards a play-off position.
Writer’s View
Alex Neil’s appointment is a bold move by Millwall as they look to bring stability and ambition to The Den. With his track record of promotions and building strong team cultures, Neil has the potential to inspire a turnaround for the Lions. However, the Championship is unforgiving, and Neil will need immediate results to gain momentum and earn the trust of Millwall’s passionate fanbase.
