Millwall to sack Joe Edwards with former manager Neil Harris in line to replace him

Millwall head coach Joe Edwards is set to be sacked after the club’s slide towards the Championship relegation zone, with former manager Neil Harris in line to replace him.

Edwards will be dismissed after the dismal defeat by Sheffield Wednesday last weekend and Harris is to complete an emotional return in the next 24 hours.

Harris, a former player and manager at Millwall, is expected to leave his post at League One club Cambridge and return to The Den after his exit in October 2019.

Edwards’ brief tenure is over after just three months in charge, after suffering six defeats in the last seven Championship matches.

Millwall’s run leaves them only a point above the relegation zone, triggering deep concern among the club’s hierarchy.

Edwards departed his role with England’s under-20s after being appointed in November. He was chosen ahead of Nathan Jones in the selection process, who has now taken over at League One club Charlton.

Millwall’s pool of candidates to replace Edwards has been quite small, which has delayed a decision on his future.

Michael Beale, who was dismissed by Sunderland after just 12 matches on Monday, was interviewed last year while another candidate was John Eustace, but he is now in charge at Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers.

Harris will be a popular appointment with supporters and is charged with the task of saving Millwall from relegation.

“I’ve obviously had challenging periods in my career but this is my first time as head coach,” Edwards told the South London Press this week.

“It doesn’t make it solely down to you but you inherit a bigger share of the responsibility than when you are in any other roles.

“It’s been a really disappointing period in terms of results. It is something I haven’t lived before, in terms of that few points in that amount of games.”

Millwall will be in the bottom three this weekend if they lose at promotion chasing Southampton and QPR avoid defeat at home to bottom club Rotherham.

The club’s board were targeting another season challenging for the play-offs, after finishing in the top nine in three of the last four campaigns.