STEVE Morison believes the next Millwall manager needs to be a “strong character” who can handle the pressure of the fans.
The Lions are searching for a new boss today after Gary Rowett mutually agreed to leave The Den last night after almost four years in charge.
Former Millwall striker Morison, who used to manage Cardiff City and is now boss at Hornchurch, praised the “great job” Rowett did.
He also focused on what characteristics the next Lions boss will need to win over a passionate fanbase.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Morison said: “They just need to be themselves, they need to be strong characters, they need to be someone that can deal with the pressure from the fans. There’s lots of people that wilt under that pressure and they don’t go on to be a success at that football club but they go on elsewhere and do really well.
“So I think you need to have that as a manager and I think you need to be on the front foot with your playing style, you need to give the fans something to enjoy to watch. They’re not necessarily wanting a possession-based, have loads of the ball and not really go anywhere with it [style].
“They want to be thrilled and excited, they want to get off their seats and enjoy watching their team. And upmost they want a team that will give everything and fight for that three points every week.”
Both Millwall and Rowett have insisted it’s a genuinely mutual decision in the best interests of the football club.
Morison thinks the amicable transition to a new management team is a nice change of pace from what is usually seen in English football.
He said: “From a football club point of view, I think it shows a little bit more stability doing it in a different way. I don’t think it’s the end of the world and I think it gives them the opportunity now to … they’ve got good people behind the scenes, Adam [Barrett] and Paul [Robinson] will take over initially to steady the ship to give them the chance to find the right person.
“Gary done a great job at that football club along with the owners and sadly John [Berylson] passing earlier on in the year. That was disappointing for the football club and sad for everyone.
“They’ve been on an upward curve and the club is a stable football club and obviously it’s a big challenge now for the club to find the right person.”