It was announced this week that current Millwall boss Neil Harris would step down from his role as Lions coach after a successful second stint with the club.
Harris took over the club for a second time in February, with the club sat in 21st and battling relegation. The Lions' all-time top scorer saved his beloved Millwall and led them to a respectable 13th place finish last term, consolidating that end-of-season form by guiding them to the top seven in recent weeks.
However, Harris had maintained that he would leave the club when the time felt right, and after no wins in Millwall's previous four matches, he has decided to depart after their game at home to Sheffield United.
A market has now emerged as to who will be Harris's replacement, with recent Leicester City boss Steve Cooper currently out in front as the favourite to take the helm at The Den.
Next Millwall manager odds: Current favourites
Steve Cooper – 5/1
The current favourite to take over at The Den is former Leicester City boss Steve Cooper. The Foxes gaffer was only in charge for 14 games, with huge question marks being raised over his tactical setup and the players deployed in each of his starting lineups.
Fans felt Cooper played an unimaginative brand of football that hardly kept supporters on the edge of their seats, and this sentiment was mirrored by the board, who gave him his marching orders.
The Englishman had previously presided over Nottingham Forest, guiding them to a return to the Premier League, but found limited success once promoted to the top flight, with his side particularly struggling to pick up points away from home.
Cooper may seem an odd choice after his recent managerial showings, but Millwall's defensive style could align with his own tactical desires. At 5/1, he is by no means a standout favourite, so provides good value while bookies are uncertain of a direct replacement for Harris.
Mark Robins – 6/1
Hot on the heels of Cooper is a manager with a lot more to shout about in recent seasons. Former Coventry City boss Mark Robins is the second favourite to steer Millwall towards a potential playoff spot.
The Englishman enjoyed a seven-year stint at the CBS Arena, during which he guided Coventry from League Two to the Championship Playoff Final, narrowly missing out on promotion back to the Premier League after a penalty shootout defeat to Luton Town.
Robins picked up 1.47 points per game in charge of Coventry, overseeing an impressive 157 wins in 387 games – a win rate of 40%.
He had also been touted for a number of vacant positions in the past few weeks, but having not openly attempted to secure a new role, the Millwall job could be the one that sees Robins make a swift managerial return.
At 6/1 he is another good value choice for punters.
Michael Appleton – 6/1
Equal in standing to Robins is former Charlton and Blackpool boss Michael Appleton. The English manager has been out of a job since departing the The Addicks in January 2024.
Appleton's most impressive performance came in charge of Lincoln City, where he was manager between 2019 and 2022, presiding over 143 matches and averaging 1.41 points per game.
However, a few unhappy spells have followed for the former Imps gaffer, as a seven-month stay at Blackpool ended with the club 23rd in the Championship, eventually suffering relegation.
His stint at the Valley was equally fruitless, as a run of no wins from 10 League One games saw him lose his job.
At 6/1, Appleton seems a rather more left-field choice than Robins or Cooper, who have garnered a great deal more pedigree in the management field in recent years.
Lifelong Ipswich Town supporter who recently graduated from Durham University in French and German. Have developed a passion for European football based on my links abroad and am an avid supporter of Werder Bremen and Auxerre. Joined the MFT team in October 2024 and looking to take my first steps into the world of football journalism.
