David Livermore has summed up his time as Millwall’s interim head coach as “stressful.”
Livermore stepped up to lead the team through the Christmas period after Neil Harris quit as head coach earlier this month.
Alex Neil has agreed a deal to take over at Millwall and will be in charge for the game against former Lions manager Gary Rowett’s Oxford United on New Year’s Day.
Livermore is expected to be part of the Scot’s new backroom team.
“It’s been stressful, I won’t lie, ” Livermore told Millwall TV.
“I’ve got so much more appreciation of the role now. It’s difficult to turn your mind off – the last thing you’re thinking about before you go to bed is football. It’s the first thing you think about when you wake up. I found that tough but I’ve enjoyed it.
“The players have been great and the staff have been fantastic.”
Adam Barrett, who has twice stepped up to be caretaker manager following Harris’ first departure and after Rowett left last season, will not be part of the new coaching team.
The former Southend captain has decided to pursue new opportunities within management after an eight-year spell on the Millwall coaching team.
Livermore was quick to pay tribute to his long-term colleague. He said: “The guy is a leader, he was the captain of every team he played for. He is a leader in the dressing room. He is a leader behind the scenes.
“He has a knack of saying the right thing at the right time. He is very dedicated, hardworking and the lads respect him – he’s just given a speech in there.
“He’s a very funny guy as well. He is going to be a big loss to the football club but Adam wants to pursue other things and after eight years that’s his decision and all I can say is I wish him all the best for his future career.”
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