FORMER Southampton and Luton manager Nathan Jones is being lined up with a sensational return to the game.
Millwall have identified the 50-year-old as the leading contender to take over at The Den, according to The Daily Mail.
Jones has been out of work since his short stint as Southampton manager this year.
The role saw him take over from Ralph Hassenhuttl in November 2022 with the Welshman being sacked by the club in February 2023 after winning just one of his eight league games in charge.
Kevin Muscat is also being considered by the South London side but it is understood the board favour Jones thanks to his strong Championship pedigree.
Jones took over then-Premier League Southampton last season after leading Luton to a strong start in England's second division.
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The Hatters were ninth and two points off a play-off spot when Jones left – and his good work was finished off by Rob Edwards who got Luton promoted to The Premier League through the lay-offs.
Former Birmingham City manager John Eustace was also in the frame to take over at The Den but looks set to replace Nigel Pearson at Bristol City.
Millwall are on the lookout for a new manager after parting ways with Gary Rowett last month.
Rowett managed the club for four years before being let go – with Millwall just three points off the play-offs when he was let go.
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They are now 18th in The Championship and six points off the play-off places having won one in their last five.
Most Millwall fans have reacted to the rumoured appointment of Jones positively, but there are one or two detractors.
One fan on Twitter said: "He’s perfect for Millwall’s style of play. No one will look forward to playing them with Nathan Jones in charge."
Another wrote: "Nathan Jones 1st game in charge against Southampton it’s written in the stars baby."
A third fan said: "The moment I saw Nathan Jones wear Stone Island on the touchline last season, I knew he'd end up at Millwall."
Another wrote: "Nathan Jones is a moutwatering prospect."
But some fans were against the appointment, with one writing: "If Millwall make Nathan Jones manager, then we might as well forget this season. For me he's no upgrade then Gary Rowett, it has to be Eustace, Muscat or Warnock."
Away from Jones, England under-20s head coach Joe Edwards has also emerged as a shock contender for the Millwall job according to The Mail.
Edwards is highly thought of in the game and served on Frank Lampard's coaching staff at both Everton and Chelsea.
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He has since forged his own path at England's under-20 side and is building an excellent reputation.
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