Former Millwall captain Stuart Nethercott compared Alex Neil to Millwall’s most successful Scottish managers, including his former boss Mark McGhee.
Neil’s Millwall tenure got off to a solid start. He took over a team in free fall last December and, after an initial adjustment phase, guided them to within two points of the top six.
He has them in sixth place for the play-offs after 15 games of the current season. In the 38 Championship games he has overseen as Lions head coach, he has won 18, drew 8, and lost 12.
Neil’s achievement compares favourably to that of other Scots who have excelled in SE16.
McGhee led the Lions to the Division Two title in his first season in charge in 2000-01, and they advanced to the Division One play-offs the following season, where they were eliminated by Birmingham City in the semi-finals.
Nethercott was a key member of that team, appearing in 52 games at the heart of one of the league’s most formidable defences.
McGhee’s countryman, John Docherty, went a step further in 1987-88, leading Millwall to the Division Two title and promotion to the top division for the first time in club history, while fellow Scot George Graham assisted the Lions’ return to Division Two earlier that decade.
Nethercott believes Scottish coaches are best suited to Millwall. “I see a lot of Mark in the Millwall gaffer at the moment,” Nethercott told NewsAtDen. “The Scottish managers who we hire at the football club appear to have something special about them.
I’m quite excited to see how this season plays out. Scottish managers, such as Mark [John Docherty], have historically performed well. There’s something there. I believe that a Scottish manager has always fit the football club.
“I believe this manager feels like he has discovered his football team. He’s been to Norwich, Stoke, and other places, and he’s probably said to himself, ‘This is a piece of me, this.’
“Mark was exactly the same way. He discovered his home. He truly adored his stay there.” Neil spoke glowingly about his time at Millwall following his team’s 1-1 draw with Preston North End.
“It’s a really family-oriented club,” Neil added. “Brilliant people, excellent players in terms of being nice, solid guys who work their tails off. “I’ve enjoyed my time here so far.”
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