NEIL Harris says he is “full of energy, excitement and passion for football” – but added that he has no plans for an immediate return to the dugout.
Harris stepped down from his head coach role after Millwall’s 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough on Saturday.
That result left his record in his second spell: Played 35: Won 15, drew 9, lost 11.
Harris was asked after the game if he planned to go straight back into a job somewhere.
“No plans to be back in the dugout soon,” Harris said. “I’ve really enjoyed this spell, it’s been amazing, it’s been a whirlwind ten months. I’ve loved it, I’m full of energy and excitement and passion for football. Over the coming weeks and months we’re going to travel around the country, see some friends at Premier League clubs, go in and watch them train and watch their games. I’ll do the same in the Championship, League One and League Two.
“My local team and my team, Southend, I’ll be there to watch their games as well.
“Reflection time on the job, time with the family especially over the Christmas period – someone told me Christmas is coming soon! So I look forward to that, I haven’t had many of them at home over the last 30 years in football.
“And then – who knows?”
The Lions went fifth in the Championship table after they beat Leeds United 1-0 at The Den on November 6, but are currently nine points off the top six after a five-match winless run.
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Harris gave his assessment of the squad the new head coach will take over.
He said: “I think it’s competitive at the level. Over ten months we’ve not lost a game by more than one goal, which is important in every game. It’s a squad that’s fourth or fifth on the list for points picked up since February. It shows it’s competitive.”
Harris said another reason behind his decision to step down now was “to give the club every opportunity to act in the next transfer window, for a new regime to come in, new leadership qualities, a different voice, different ideas” and added: “I think the squad is really competitive, some really good players in there. It’s a squad that’s shown that whether the top six is slightly too far away this season, it’s certainly competitive and shouldn’t be in the bottom six.”
