FOMRER Millwall captain Kevin Muscat has emerged as an early favourite to replace Neil Harris.
The Lions announced on Tuesday afternoon that Harris would be stepping down from his head coach role after Saturday’s game against Middlesbrough at the Riverside.
Harris returned to the club for a second spell in charge last February and guided the side from 21st place to thirteenth.
In 31 games since Harris replaced the sacked Joe Edwards, only Leeds United (59) and Middlesbrough (55) have gained more points in the Championship than Millwall’s 51.
“This isn’t an easy decision, as everyone knows this club is more than a job to me, it’s my club, and always will be,” Harris said on the club’s website.
“Being here always felt like home, as a player, as a captain, and as a manager. We are a family, and it’s been my life for so many years.
“But I always said when I returned that I would leave when the time felt right, and now is that time.
“Coming back last season and all the highs that came with it will never be rivalled. It was one of the highlights of my career.
“We fought together as a team, as fans and as a united football club.”
Millwall have said they are recruiting for a head coach rather than a manager.
Muscat played for Millwall between 2003 and 2005, helping them reach the final of the FA Cup in 2004 although he was injured for the 3-0 defeat to Manchester United.
The 51-year-old is currently in charge of Shanghai Port and led them to this year’s Chinese Super League title.
Other names being linked with the Den post are Mark Robins, who was sacked by Coventry City this season, Wycombe Wanderers manager Matt Bloomfield and former Leicester City, Nottingham Forest and Swansea City boss Steve Cooper.
| Kevin Muscat | 5/4 | 44.4% |
| Matt Bloomfield | 9/4 | 30.8% |
| Mark Robins | 3/1 | 25% |
| Sam Allardyce | 3/1 | 25% |
| Gary Rowett | 7/2 | 22.2% |
| Alex Neil | 4/1 | 20% |
| Steven Schumacher | 5/1 | 16.7% |
| Steve Cooper | 6/1 | 14.3% |
| Dave Challinor | 8/1 | 11.1% |
