Championship side Millwall have seen strong development in the past couple seasons. After a disappointing 13th place finish in the 2023/24 season, the South London outfit finished 8th last term and are currently in a race for automatic promotion.
The side have gone from mid-table and outside play-off pushers to genuine contenders. But we might question what the turning point was?
The general consensus for this rise is through head coach Alex Neil. Since arriving in December 2024, only current league leaders Coventry have picked up more points than Neil’s Millwall side.
Others may choose to point at club owner James Berylson. Since the unfortunate passing of his father in 2023, no Millwall fan can question the commitment he has put into the club.
The trajectory of the club under these two men has been undeniably positive and can’t be understated. However, there is another man who can be credited greatly for the clubs transformation but isn’t discussed as much. That man is the Lions Director of Football Steve Gallen.
Steve Gallen was appointed as Millwall’s Director of football in May 2024. This came after two decades working at fellow London sides Queens Park Rangers and Charlton Athletic.
He made the switch to Bermondsey, and was given control over the Lions summer transfer targets.
Much of the praise from that summer was directed at the signing of Japhet Tanganga on a free. After a successful six-month loan spell the season before, pinning him down on a full-time contract was deemed one of the signings of the window.
The Tanganga deal perhaps overshadowed Millwall’s other summer transfers at the time, but it turned out to be a window of very few misses.
Mihailo Ivanovic signed from Serbian side Vojvodina for a club record fee, who finished as the side’s top scorer that season. Femi Azeez signed from Reading who has grown to become one of the league’s standout performers. Even the loan signing of Josh Coburn, whilst injury prone in his season long loan, developed a strong partnership with Ivanovic.
More lowkey signings like Lukas Jensen and Macaulay Langstaff proved themselves effective. Both stepping up the English divisions and performing well, albeit the later taking a lot more time to adjust.
The window looking back now was incredibly successful, but the immediate aftermath perhaps didn’t point itself so.
Millwall had until very recently focussed largely on experience in transfers rather than building for the future. Gallen was intended as a physical embodiment of the new strategy focussing on youth and development.
For manager Neil Harris though, this was a stark contrast compared to his previous stint at the club. He began to make it quite clear that he was not happy with his lack of control over signings.
When Millwall hit a poor run of form, he was very quick to reiterate that these were not the players he wanted to bring in. This caused a rift between him and the club.
Harris stepped down halfway through the 2024/25 season. Many understood Gallen’s control over transfer targets as being the key reason for the breakdown of relationship between manager and board.
Harris’ departure was later followed up by the appointment of ex-Preston North End coach Alex Neil.
Neil was appointed shortly before the 2025 January window, taking the role of head coach. His arrival was also matched with one of the Lions busiest windows in recent history.
With academy graduate Romain Esse departing for Crystal Palace, the Lions saw themselves around £14 million better off.
Around $4.5m of this was spent on then club record signing Camiel Neghli, who overcame a tough start to become an integral part of the Lions attack in recent weeks. Tristan Crama was signed from Brentford for a seven-figure fee and has established himself as one of the league’s standout performers.
The signing of Luke Cundle was highly praised, and the loan signing of Zak Sturge proved very successful. The Lions were on a poor run of form in this period, but these signings greatly helped in turning the clubs fortunes around.
Whilst it wasn’t enough to snag a play-off place that season, Gallen again was very busy in the summer window. With the permanent sales of Zian Flemming and Japhet Tanganga, the club added another 15 million to their budget.
The marquee signing was bringing back Josh Coburn on a permanent for £5 million. Since his signing he has gone on to score six goals in twenty appearances. This includes important goals against the likes of Wrexham and Ipswich Town.
Alfie Doughty signing from Luton Town was also considered a major coup. Since joining his boyhood side he has been a part of one of the leagues strongest defences and chipped in with five assists.
Caleb Taylor and Zak Sturge have both also proved pivotal in strengthening the Lions defensive backline. Derek Mazou-Sacko has offered depth in midfield. Even goalkeeper Max Crocombe who was signed on a free from Burton Albion has kept nine clean sheets.
Gallen received high praise for the players he brought in, and come January the fruits of his labour were showing in the table. Millwall were placed heavily in a play-off push, and with victories over Swansea City and Watford had shown themselves as strong contenders.
The January window was not as busy for Gallen. Only three players were bought in, but it was clear the approach at this point was quality over quantity.
Barry Bannan, Tom Watson and Anthony Patterson were the three names. Both Watson and Patterson had play-off promotion experience with Sunderland last season. Bannan meanwhile has Premier league experience and demonstrated himself as the talisman for a decade at Sheffield Wednesday.
Since their arrival, they’ve each produced moments of brilliance in big games. Patterson’s man of the match performance against Ipswich being the standout helping gain a valuable point.
As of writing, Millwall are sat two points outside the automatic promotion spots. With a big game against Middlesbrough upcoming, there is a chance this weekend sees them placed in the top two.
Before Gallen’s arrival, the London side were in a very difficult position. After a few play-off pushes before, the side seemed like they had hit a point of stagnation.
Since he joined the club though it’s a completely different story. Regardless of what happens in the coming weeks, this is perhaps the most exciting its ever been to be a Millwall fan.
The triad of James Berylson, Alex Neil and Steve Gallen have revolutionised the club. But while Berylson and Neil have their praises sung constantly, it must be remembered how integral Gallen has been.
