MX23RW : Wednesday, April 9 13:45:12| >> :120:70987:70987:

Neil Harris insists he will be his own man amid Neil Warnock comparisons

Neil Harris insists he will be his own man amid Neil Warnock comparisons
© Reuters
The former Millwall manager took the Lions into the Championship in May 2017.

Neil Harris has dismissed suggestions that he is "Neil Warnock Mark II" after being unveiled as Cardiff's new manager.

Warnock's three-year stay with the Bluebirds came to an end last week and former Millwall boss Harris has been labelled as having similar principles based on direct football to his 70-year-old predecessor.

"I think people are referring to the club I was at previously and the way we played," said Harris, who revealed Warnock had sent him a text congratulating him on his appointment.

"I was at Millwall who demand getting the ball forward quickly and have physical attributes to the game. Some of those principles I will stick to, but I want to adjust because of how I am as a coach.

"I don't think there is a Neil Warnock Mark II. He's his own man and I'm respectful towards that. I also have to be respectful of the players I've got and we can't change overnight.

"There has to be a process to that and it takes time. It is not going to be revolution overnight. I just want to change the culture as we go along, try and build some confidence in the group."

Harris is Vincent Tan's seventh manager since the controversial Malaysian businessman bought the Sky Bet Championship club in May 2010.

Tan is notoriously demanding over performances and results, with Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman saying last week that the owner wanted a side who would have "35 shots on goal" during matches.

"I've certainly not made any promises about making 35 shots a game," laughed Harris. "I don't know if it's possible to have 35 shots per game!

"We want to play attack-minded football, press high and win it back high. There's loads of ways to score goals.

"I'm big on set-plays, which has been a very successful avenue for the club given the players they've recruited over time.

"The owner and the board are rightly demanding of the football club and want to achieve. You have pressure to succeed from the fanbase and owners."

Harris, who resigned as Millwall manager last month, has signed a deal until the summer of 2022.

The 42-year-old takes over with Cardiff 14th in the Championship following their Premier League relegation last season.

Harris managed Millwall for four years, winning promotion to the Championship in 2017, but the former striker is remembered in Cardiff for a 2004 loan spell which was cut short.

He joined Nottingham Forest in a move that did not go down well with fans at the time.

"I made a mistake not staying here longer," Harris said. "I mean that in total respect to Nottingham Forest, but at the time I made a family decision for various reasons.

"It's probably one of the only things I've really regretted in my footballing career so far.

"But I'm certainly proud and privileged to be sitting here. I have to win people over and I am prepared to do that."

ID:379797: cacheID:379797:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4452:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Raheem Sterling and Joe Gomez in England training together on November 12, 2019
Read Next:
News Extra: Sterling-Gomez update, Robertson on title race, Cardiff 'approach Harris'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds412413480285285
2Burnley412316255124385
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd41267856312583
4Sunderland412113757372076
5Bristol City411615105344963
6Middlesbrough411791561501160
7Coventry CityCoventry40178155753459
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom4113181049381157
9Millwall411512144041-157
10Watford41168174953-456
11Norwich CityNorwich411314146256653
12Blackburn RoversBlackburn41158184445-153
13Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds411411165663-753
14Preston North EndPreston411019124249-749
15Swansea CitySwansea40139184151-1048
16Queens Park RangersQPR401113164553-846
17Portsmouth40129194863-1545
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd401112174157-1645
19Hull City411111194049-944
20Stoke CityStoke411014174254-1244
21Derby CountyDerby41119214252-1042
22Cardiff CityCardiff41915174565-2042
23Luton TownLuton411010213762-2540
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth40813194278-3637


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!