JOE Edwards has been officially unveiled as Millwall’s new head coach.
It is the 37-year-old’s first senior management job after he spent time as the assistant manager at Chelsea and Everton under Frank Lampard.
He replaces Gary Rowett, who left his role by mutual consent last month after almost four years in charge at The Den.
Edwards, who not initially among the frontrunners for the vacancy, has been joined by Andy Myers who will take over as assistant manager after leaving Chelsea.
Edwards will now take charge of Millwall and will be in the dugout for the first time on Saturday when the Lions take on Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.
His first home game will come after the international break when Millwall host Coventry City on November 25.
“Firstly, it’s a really proud day for me and my family,” Edwards told Millwall TV+. “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.”
Edwards takes over a Millwall side who sit 18th in the Championship, seven points off the relegation places and eight points off the play-off positions.
Millwall have finished eighth, eleventh, ninth and eighth in their last four seasons under Rowett.
Lions chairman James Berylson said: “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.”
Caretaker boss Adam Barrett, who was Rowett’s assistant manager, is set to remain as part of the backroom staff. He has managed four games during his temporary spell, drawing two and losing two, including Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against Southampton. Andy Marshall will also remain as part of the club’s coaching staff.
Millwall’s new manager will take charge of training at Calmont Road tomorrow morning for the first time.
Alex Aldridge, Director of Football Operations and Recruitment, said: “We have taken our time to conduct a thorough recruitment process and we are delighted to welcome Joe to Millwall.
“Joe is a highly-motivated, dynamic coach who is held in high regard by everyone he has worked with at Chelsea, Everton and the Football Association, and we feel he is a great long-term fit for the club.
“Joe has strong principles and clear ideas for taking the team forwards and given his background in developing young players fully understands the importance of having a strong link with our Academy.
“Everyone at Millwall is looking forward to welcoming Joe and working together to build on the progress we have made in recent years.”
Edwards turned to coaching after being released by Chelsea as a player at the age of 16.
He has since enjoyed great success at youth level and led the Blues’ academy side to back-to-back FA Youth Cup wins in 2015 and 2016. His teams contained the likes of Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount, Roma striker Tammy Abraham and Bournemouth star Dominic Solanke, all of whom have left Chelsea in recent years.
After more work with youth and development sides at Stamford Bridge, Edwards was promoted to become part of Lampard’s first-team coaching staff when the Chelsea legend was appointed manager in July 2019.
He stayed on as part of the coaching staff when Thomas Tuchel replaced Lampard and led Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2021.
Edwards would then follow Lampard to Everton to act as his assistant manager and the pair returned to Chelsea earlier this year when Lampard was placed in interim charge of the club after Graham Potter’s sacking.
Former Southampton, Stoke City and Luton Town boss Nathan Jones is believed to have been among the final contenders for the role before Millwall opted for Edwards.
Others in the running included former Lions defender Kevin Muscat, ex-Birmingham City boss John Eustace and former Queens Park Rangers manager Michael Beale.