Donachie axed as Millwall manager

Donachie, 56, took charge in September 2006 with the Lions at the foot of the table and led them to mid-table safety.

But a 4-0 weekend defeat at Carlisle left the Londoners at the bottom again. Veteran defender Richard Shaw will take temporary charge of the team.

"This decision was taken with a heavy heart," executive deputy chairman Heather Rabbatts said. "We all love and deeply admire Willie Donachie."

Former Scotland full-back Donachie worked as an assistant manager at Oldham, Everton, Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich before replacing Nigel Spackman at the Millwall helm.

606: DEBATE
" What a stupid decision - given time he could have turned it around "
TRS

"We were desperate for him to bring us the success he so craved," Rabbatts continued.

"He will be greatly missed by us on a personal level but, as at the same stage last season, decisive action was necessary in the long term interests of the football club."

Millwall, who were a top-flight club in the late 1980s, have had a succession of managers in recent seasons, with four different bosses in 2005 alone.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Millwall fans' views on 606
BBC London audio
Millwall weather
BBC Sport League One
Millwall
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites