"The wrong time" - Pundit urges Millwall FC away from 40-year-old manager | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer exclusively speaks to Football League World about Millwall's interest in Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley

Football pundit and former England international Carlton Palmer has weighed in on reports that Millwall have targeted Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley as a Neil Harris replacement in a Football League World exclusive.

According to the Irish Mirror, the Lions have set their sights on Bradley, as they look to appoint Harris' successor following the 47-year-old's exit.

There are other candidates for the job, including Alex Neil, Steven Schumacher and Matt Bloomfield, as per reporter Rich Cawley, but sources across the Irish Sea believe that long-serhving Shamrock manager Bradley is also in contention.

Carlton Palmer reacts to Millwall interest in Shamrock Rovers boss

Whilst Palmer believes that Bradley has solid credentials to take a job like the Millwall one, he believes that it is perhaps the wrong time for him to be making the move to The Den.

Palmer told FLW: "Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley is reportedly in contention for the vacant Millwall manager job.

"He's been outstanding, he's a young manager, he's only 40 years of age.

"He was linked to Lincoln City in 2022, he's also been coveted by Hearts and Birmingham in the previous 18 months, where he's had a lot of offers.

"But he has said his priorities, and his son Josh, who has leukaemia, apparently he's coming to the end of the treatment for leukaemia.

"But for right now, he's said that is his priority, that's what he's concentrating on, but he's a 40-year-old, young manager who says he has ambitions to see how far he can go on and be successful as a manager, and how high he could go.

"But he says he's 40, he's not 60, so he's got plenty of time to make the decision to move on from Shamrock Rovers.

"I'm sure that will happen, I think Millwall would be a good opportunity for him, there's good owners there, they've got a nice setup there, but he's said now's not the right time.

"Now there's always a gamble when you take on a manager who's only young, or (has) not managed at that level, but you never know until you give them that opportunity.

"So it's better than seeing the same managers who have gone to a football club. Yes they've experienced some success, but other times they haven't, and they failed again, so it's good to try something new, and Stephen Bradley comes with a high reputation, so yes, it would be a good appointment.

"I just think it's just the wrong time."

Stephen Bradley may not be keen to move to Millwall right now

As far as footballing matters are concerned, Bradley could be an ideal appointment for the Lions, as he has led his side to four successive Irish Premier Division titles, and has worked wonders with his side in the UEFA Conference League, as they have progressed to the knockouts.

Furthermore, the 40-year-old could have been intent on making his big move to the Championship, a more prestigious league, which is an opportunity the Lions can offer him.

However, while his son continues to recover from cancer, his family are clearly where his priorities lie right now, which likely means that a move to The Den is not on the cards for Bradley.