Jed Wallace admitted it had been a difficult week both personally and as a club after Neil Harris’s departure.

The club legend stepped down from his post as Millwall boss on Thursday, just a day after his side’s 1-1 draw at Luton.

Wallace, who’s worked under Harris for four years spoke of the sadness he felt on hearing the news after the Lions beat Leeds United 2-1 at The Den on Saturday, where the forward opened the scoring from the spot.

“It’s been difficult” he said.

“Lots of fans will have seen Neil on the sideline every week, but they forget we see him every day.

“He’s been a big part of the lives of many of us.

“Known him for years, few of the lads have known him since they were 13 or 14.

“We saw him Friday, it was emotional, a lot of the staff were in tears.

“It sums the man up, he’s an absolute legend of a player for this club and as manager he’s been unbelievable.

“I’ve just looked at my phone and he’s text everyone individually and said ‘well done lads, proud of every one of you.’

“Not a lot of manger out there that would watch the club they’ve left, they’d want them to lose, but it sums the man up, he’s a class act.”

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Like many the Millwall man didn’t suspect Harris’s departure, but admits after speaking to him the pressures they are under.

“You realise the load these managers are under,” Wallace continued.

“He says he was in the training ground every morning at 6am, and you forget these guys are normal people with wives and kids and he just he felt like he needed a break.

“He’s left the club in a better place than he found it that’s for sure, and as a person I couldn’t speak more highly of him.

“I’ve had two children when he’s been manager, and people don’t see those things- when you’re in hospital with the Mrs and you’re on the phone asking ‘can you not come in tomorrow, but he’s got that genuine human side to him where he says ’take as long as you want.’

“I’ve had times I rang him, because living in London I’m two hours away from the family and she’s ill and can’t look after the children, he says ‘Jed -do what you have to do.’

“People don’t see that side, and it’s very rare of managers these days.

“Lot of lads in that changing room have been through a lot of things under him and he’s been supportive throughout, and I can’t thank him enough.”

Despite the evident allegiance Wallace has with Harris, he’s fully aware the club progression is paramount.

“The manager has left an unbelievable group of players, which he has, left us with a great squad.

“Hopefully someone will come in and push us on.

“It’s a new era, the club moves on, and he’ll be the first to say no one is bigger than the club.”