MILLWALL are “hopeful” of appointing Gary Rowett as their new boss within the next 48 hours.
The former Stoke, Derby, Birmingham and Burton boss is the Lions’ number one choice to take over from Neil Harris, who quit the Den before the international break after four-and-a-half years in charge.
Rowett, 45, has been working as a TV pundit since being axed by the Potters in January.
The ex-Charlton defender started his managerial career at Burton in March 2012 before Birmingham snapped him up two-and-a-half years later.
He was doing a good job at St Andrews when he was axed and replaced by Gianfranco Zola in December 2016 – a decision which did not go down well with Blues fans.
He then joined another of his old clubs, Derby, in March 2017 and after guiding them to the Championship play-offs in his only full season in charge he walked out on the Rams and up the A50 to take over at Stoke.
But he only lasted half a season at the Potters and was sacked after winning just nine of his 29 matches in charge.
Despite that, he still a decent reputation within the game and was shortlisted for the Millwall job, alongside Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth and Lions’ highly-rated first-team coach Adam Barrett, who has been in caretaker charge of the South Londoners since Harris’ departure on October 3.
All three candidates were interviewed for the vacancy last week and the Den board met yesterday to make their choice.
A senior source said: “All three interviewed very well but in the end it was decided that Gary was the best candidate. We are hopeful of concluding his appointment within the next 48 hours.”
Barrett will continue working as a coach under Rowett and will remain in caretaker charge for the Lions clash at home to Cardiff tomorrow.
That means Rowett’s first game as Millwall boss would be on Saturday…at home to his former club Stoke.
