Millwall midfielder Shaun Williams has said that he thought Neil Harris’ departure last week ‘was a joke’ when he first heard the news.

Neil Harris stepped down as Millwall manager last week after four years in charge.

He guided the Lions to League One promotion in 2017, but felt it was time to step aside after a disappointing start to this season leaving the club 15th in the Championship.

Today Shaun Williams spoke out about his shock at Harris’ decision via London News Online, saying:

“One of the lads put a screenshot of the news on our group chat and I thought it was a p***take. I thought someone was messing. I had to go and check.

“I spoke to him Thursday night – we had a good chat on the phone – and then I spoke to him on Friday when he was here. It was weird seeing him when he wasn’t the manager anymore.

“It was a strange feeling on Friday. He seemed at ease with his decision. He just wanted the best for the club.”

32-year-old Williams was at the club when Harris got the job permanently in 2015, and has played over 200 games for the club.

He’s fallen out of favour a bit this season, but the Irishman is still a useful player to Millwall.

Millwall travel to Brentford a week tomorrow, and the club will be hoping that they find a replacement in time. Former player Tim Cahill has been linked with the vacancy, and so too has Gary Rowett.

The verdict

Whoever replaces Harris at Millwall will inherit a good team. They've got individuals who can win them matches, and should probably be higher in the table than they are right now.

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