Lee denies all knowledge

Lee: No knowledge of sacking

After just 36 days in charge, Steve Claridge's reign as manager of Millwall has come to an abrupt end. But his replacement - albeit on a temporary basis - has been keen to stress that the decision to dismiss Claridge had nothing to do with him.

Lee, who was brought to the club by the former Millwall boss earlier this week, has admitted that the events of the past 12 hours has left him just as bewildered as the Millwall fans, who are scratching their heads wondering what on earth Claridge had done to lose his job.

"Steve was going to ask them if I could help out with the coaching on a non-contract basis, " said Lee. "I left Steve with Theo Paphitis and set off back to the Midlands after the game with Gillingham on Tuesday.

"Steve wanted to get the permission of the board to take me on, and the meeting ended with him being dismissed.

"But I have not done anything wrong, to Steve or to anyone else. It's not in my make-up."

Claridge, meanwhile, is said to be "deeply disappointed and shocked" by the club's decision.