Wise quits at Millwall following boardroom shake-up

Dennis Wise resigned as Millwall manager following yesterday's 0-0 draw at home to Burnley and a year after guiding the club to the FA Cup final.

Dennis Wise resigned as Millwall manager following yesterday's 0-0 draw at home to Burnley and a year after guiding the club to the FA Cup final.

The former England midfielder revealed his decision to his players minutes after the game at the New Den. With the Millwall chairman, Theo Paphitis, standing down in the summer, Wise's future had been the subject of speculation, and he said he did not "hit it off" with the new chairman, Jeff Burnige.

"I've had a meeting with the new chairman, he told me his direction and I didn't agree," said Wise, who was appointed in October 2003, having joined the club as a player in September 2002. "We just didn't hit it off and I just want what is best for the club. I've just told the lads in the dressing room and it has come as a big shock to them.

"I've been thinking about it for a long time and I came to the decision that I started here with Theo and I want to go out with him," Wise added. "This is all about Millwall and what is best for them. Having met with the chairman it was clear that me staying in charge was not in the best interest of the club.

"I've loved my time with Millwall, I've found the fans brilliant. People told me the supporters were hard work here but they've been magnificent to me."

Millwall reached last year's FA Cup final, losing 3-0 to Manchester United but claiming a place in the Uefa Cup. However, they went out in the first round, losing 4-2 on aggregate to the Hungarian side Ferencvaros.

Wise, who said his assistant, Ray Wilkins, would hold talks with Burnige this week, still has one year left on his playing contract.