Ex-QPR Coach Joe Gallen Continues Upwards

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Next step: League Manager!

South London Press/Toby Porter - Former youth team coach steps into assistant's post


MILLWALL'S new assistant boss is Joe Gallen.

The former QPR youth coach has stepped into the job just five months after joining the Lions in the same role.

Millwall manager Kenny Jackett, who worked with Gallen at Loftus Road, has also revealed veteran defender Richard Shaw is to fill Gallen's previous job of reserve-team boss.

Jackett said: "Joe is a very good coach on the field and has a good way with the players."

Gallen stepped up from youth-team coach to reserve coach in December.

The brother of former QPR striker Kevin won seven caps with the Republic of Ireland's U21 team while a player at Shamrock Rovers.

Gallen's appointment follows just a week after Colin West was told he would not be Jackett's assistant next season.

A meeting later this week will decide if West stays at The Den in another role or leaves.

Gallen played at Watford as a young striker and at Exeter and Shrewsbury but retired at the age of 25 when a persistent back problem, which had been operated on, started causing pain in his hamstring.

He was involved in coaching at every level at Loftus Road from U9 to the first team and has a sports science degree from Elephant & Castle's South Bank University.

He was assistant boss at Exeter City under Paul Tisdale until Jackett asked him to come to The Den in November.

Gallen, 35, said: "This club's potential is huge because of the size of its fan base.

"We are looking forward to producing a team which those fans enjoy watching and which can eventually push for promotion. I hope I bring a lot of experience and enthusiasm to the role -and I am not shy of speaking my mind.

"My task will be to mentor some of our young players - which involves stressing their strengths to them, as much as working on their weaknesses."

Jackett said of Shaw's role: "Richard will, where necessary, still be training with the squad and also playing if we need him...." South London