MILLWALL have named England Under-20s boss and ex-Chelsea coach Joe Edwards as manager following Gary Rowett’s exit last month.
Edwards worked under Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge, having first coached there aged just 19.
Joe Edwards has been announced as Millwall chief as the Londoners sit 18th in the Championship after pushing for promotion last termMILLWALL FC
Former Southampton and Luton chief Nathan Jones was heavily linked with the job at the Championship strugglers.
But the Lions have opted for 37-year-old Edwards – rated one of England’s top young coaches.
Andy Myers – Chelsea’s loan player technical coach – arrives at The Den as his assistant boss.
Ex-Stamford Bridge youth player Edwards told Millwall’s website: “It’s a really proud day for me and my family.
“Although I have been coaching for a long time, a lot of people will be aware that this is my first job managing as Head Coach.
“Throughout the years, at various levels, you think you would like to have the opportunity to make the step up.
“To do it at a club like this, to be Head Coach of Millwall Football Club – I don’t take that lightly at all. I’m really excited.”
Lions’ chairman James Berylson hailed Edwards as a fresh thinker.
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Berylson told Millwallfc.co.uk: “With Joe, I’m excited.
“He is somebody who I think is very innovative and has some positive ideas about the progression we can make as a club.
“It was a thorough process, with no stone left unturned, and Joe was engaging, attentive, and impressive throughout, and I felt that we could have a productive working relationship together.
“We welcome both Joe and Andy to The Den with open arms and look forward to seeing the impact they can make on and off the pitch throughout what we hope to be a long relationship with Millwall.”
The Lions confirmed assistant head coach Adam Barrett, who has been caretaker boss for the past four matches, and Andy Marshall will “remain part of the club’s backroom staff”.
Edwards joined Chelsea’s coaching team as a teenager, helping them to FA Youth Cup triumphs.
Stamford Bridge and England legend Lampard then promoted him to the first-team set-up.
Tuchel – Lamps’ successor as Chelsea chief- kept him on from January 2021.
And 12 months later Edwards switched to Everton to again assist Lampard, before taking over England Under-20s.
Millwall are 18th in the second tier after just missing the play-offs last season.