STEVE Claridge says he isn’t surprised by Kenny Jackett’s decision to quit as Millwall manager.

The former Lions striker and BBC pundit admits he is a big admirer of what Jackett achieved during almost six years in charge at The Den, but added perhaps now is the best time to freshen things up.

Claridge told News Shopper: “Sometimes it is time for a change.

“Maybe it was a case of Kenny thinking he had taken it as far as he could.

“Is staying in the Championship as far as he could take it?

“I think 99 percent of people would probably say yes.

“It’s not like someone is going to come in now and get 100 points and manage a side which will score loads of goals.

“Losing Chris Wood and Darius Henderson midway through the season was a big blow because the people Kenny got in didn’t work out.

“When you lose goals like that from the team, all of a sudden belief begins to evaporate when you go one down and look around thinking ‘where are the goals going to come from?’

“We all do a job and sometimes you get to the point where you know deep down it just needs a different voice.

“I’m pleased for Kenny he has left on his terms, which he clearly has done.

“I can understand why he has gone now and am sure he will be linked with other top jobs.”

Claridge added: “Kenny is a decent fellow and was clearly well regarded by everyone at the club.

“I saw them early in the season when they were in the bottom three and the fans were still chanting his name, which says a lot at Millwall considering they were struggling at the time.

“It would have been a huge decision to give that up and certainly not one he would have taken lightly.

“A lot of managers like to take all of the attention for themselves, something which can irritate players, but Kenny was never like that.

“He always stepped forward when he needed to and that is the sign of a good manager.”

Inevitably speculation has already started about who the next Millwall manager will be and although ruling himself out of the running, Claridge believes the club could do a lot worse than look towards someone who has a close connection with the Lions.

“It’s a club someone ideally should already have experience of,” the former Den striker said.

“I think it might be an idea to get someone in, probably not me admittedly, who understands what the club is all about.

“It isn’t the be all and end all, but it would help.”

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