Neil Harris could return to manage Championship side Millwall according to reports – he was sacked earlier this season by Gillingham

Neil Harris is being tipped for a return to manage Championship side Millwall – less than five months after he was sacked by Gillingham.

Harris hasn’t hung around since he was ousted as the Gills boss and was appointed head coach at League 1 Cambridge United in early December. A chance to manage his old club Millwall would be a move he’s unlikely to turn down.

Neil Harris took over as Cambridge United manager in December and is being tipped for a return to Millwall Picture: Simon Lankester

More: Disappointment after injury setback for newcomer

Reports are rife that Harris – Millwall’s all-time record goalscorer and former manager – is heading back to The Den.

South London Press sports editor Richard Cawley has said Harris will return to the club as head coach along with David Livermore as assistant, with their current boss Joe Edwards set to leave.

It would be a remarkable turnaround for Harris after leaving the Gills earlier this season, following a run of three games without a win. He left after the club said they wanted to “go in a different direction.”

Gillingham have since appointed head coach Stephen Clemence and he’s been attempting to implement a change of style after owner Brad Galinson demanded a more exciting brand of football at Priestfield.

Harris left the Gills when they were a point off the automatic promotion places, starting the season with four straight league wins and a victory over Southampton in the League Cup.

The Gills are currenty 11 points adrift of the top three now and scrapping with teams as low down as 16th for a coveted play-off spot.

Gillingham made a terrific start to the 2023/24 season under Neil Harris and David Livermore Picture: Keith Gillard

Former boss Harris would be taking over a Millwall team who are just one point clear of safety in the Championship. During his previous spell as the Lions boss he led them to promotion from League 1 to the Championship after back-to-back play-off campaigns.

During his spell with the Gills he took over a team struggling in League 1 and was unable to save them from the drop. A difficult start to life in League 2 saw them drop to the foot of the table but the Galinson takeover gave him the tools to bring in fresh blood and the team enjoyed a stunning recovery to pull well clear of trouble.

He was sacked after 11 league games in charge this season as the club looked to go in a new direction.

Harris has taken charge of 13 league games at Cambridge since his appointment there on December 6, with five wins, five defeats and three draws. The U’s are 17th in League 2, six points above the relegation zone.