Millwall midfielder Jed Wallace has provided details on an "emotional" week at Millwall following the departure of manager Neil Harris on Thursday.

Harris ended his four-year stint as Lions boss when he stepped down from the role in the aftermath of his side's 1-1 draw at Luton where Callum McManaman scored a late equaliser for the hosts.

The result meant Millwall had gone seven matches without a win in the Championship, but this record was ended on Saturday when they overcame last season's third-placed side Leeds United with a 2-1 victory at The Den.

Wallace and Tom Bradshaw both scored goals in the first half to give the Lions a two-goal cushion, while Ezgjan Alioski then scored for the Whites but they failed to breach the Millwall defence during the remainder of the match.

Millwall's first goalscorer Wallace has now opened up on Harris' difficult departure from the club, with the midfielder revealing that many of the staff were in tears when they said goodbye to the 42-year-old on Friday.

"It's been difficult," he told News Shopper.

“Lots of fans will have seen Neil on the sideline every week, but they forget we see him every day. He’s been a big part of the lives of many of us.

“Known him for years, few of the lads have known him since they were 13 or 14. We saw him Friday, it was emotional, a lot of the staff were in tears."

Wallace, who worked under Harris for much of his reign, also revealed that the former Millwall boss sent an individual text message to each member of the Millwall squad following their impressive victory over Leeds.

“I’ve just looked at my phone and he’s text everyone individually and said ‘well done lads, proud of every one of you'," he added.

“Not a lot of manger out there that would watch the club they’ve left, they’d want them to lose, but it sums the man up, he’s a class act.”

Wallace first joined Millwall on a loan spell in 2016 before signing permanently in 2017, while he has scored three goals in nine Championship appearances for the Lions this term.

The Verdict

It is clear that Wallace and many of the Millwall players had a close affinity with Harris, so it may take some time for them to get over his departure given the abrupt nature of it.

Harris can be considered as a club legend at Millwall considering his performances as both a player and manager, and it is only fair that the club's players pay him the respect he certainly deserves following his exit.

However, it was probably the right decision for Harris to step away given the club's recent results and Millwall must now find a suitable replacement who is capable of building on the Lions' victory over Leeds.

It is important Millwall make an appointment over the international break so the new man has some time to instil his ideas into a talented squad, as structure and organisation is key if Millwall are to improve their form.

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