Millwall just missed out on automatic promotion to the Championship on the final day of the season, and their subsequent play-off defeat means the Lions will play in the second tier again next season.

Few individuals will be more unhappy with Millwall’s season than manager Alex Neil.

Neil has done an outstanding job at The Den since taking over in December 2024, with the former Preston North End and Stoke City manager only losing out on the play-offs in his first season in charge, and now narrowly missing out on a top-two finish this time around.

Millwall’s fate was sealed when Ipswich Town defeated Queens Park Rangers 3-0 at home on the final day, finishing just one place and one point behind the Tractor Boys. In the play-off semi-finals, Hull City won 2-0, relegating the Lions to another year in the Championship.

Neil will be trying to continue his upward trend with the capital club next season by clinching automatic promotion, and he will be looking to strengthen during the summer transfer window, with the Scot reportedly targeting a move for a promotion-winning defender to improve their back line.

Millwall should make an offer for Coventry City’s Kaine Kesler-Hayden to help facilitate Tristan Crama.

Millwall’s transfer dealings in recent years has been genuinely fantastic.

Japhet Tanganga, Romain Esse, and Zian Flemming have all been sold for large sums of money in recent years, and Femi Azeez, Mihailo Ivanovic, and Tristan Crama are all expected to follow suit.

Crama, in particular, was purchased for a low cost from London rivals Brentford in January 2025 and has been outstanding since his arrival at The Den, earning a spot in the Championship Team of the Season alongside teammate Azeez.

Under Neil, the Frenchman has split his time between centre-back and right-back, but the Scottish manager appears to see his long-term future at the heart of the defence, having recently made a move for French right-back Nolan Galves.

Galves presently plays football in the second division of France for Rodez, and Millwall, along with Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers, are interested in bringing him to the English capital this summer.

This comes as Danny McNamara has recently been released from the club, and the only other alternative, Ryan Leonard, is 34 years old and not getting any younger.

Millwall’s move for Galves demonstrates Neil’s desire to buy a new right-back this summer, as the Scot should be looking at Coventry City’s Kaine Kesler-Hayden.

Kesler-Hayden, 23, joined the Sky Blues from Aston Villa last summer for about £3.5 million, but he fell below Milan van Ewijk in Frank Lampard’s pecking order, playing less than 600 league minutes this season.

With Coventry promoted, the Englishman’s minutes are unlikely to increase, with a decline more likely, as Millwall should provide him an exit from the CBS Arena this summer.

Kesler-Hayden previously excelled on loan with Preston North End in the second tier during the 2023/24 season, winning the fans’, player’s, and young player of the year awards.

Kesler-Hayden, who is still only 23 years old, cannot afford to sit on the bench for another year and miss out on critical development time, and should be looking for a loan or permanent move this summer.

Millwall, who can play as a right-back in a back four or a wing-back in a back five, fits the criteria for Kesler-Hayden, as well as the Lions, as Neil should abandon his ambitions to sign Galves in favour of bringing in the Englishman this summer.

Alex Neil should evaluate Kaine Kesler-Hayden’s move as Millwall aim for promotion next season.

Neil will be determined to improve Millwall’s performance in the coming season, with the goal of achieving promotion again.

With Wolverhampton Wanderers, Burnley, and arch rivals West Ham United joining an already competitive Championship league, Millwall’s job will be difficult, but Neil should be optimistic.

Having previously gained promotions with Sunderland and Norwich City, he understands what it takes to bring a team over the line, and with Millwall’s superb recruitment and having spent a full season at the club, he couldn’t be in a better position to do so.

Kesler-Hayden’s presence would only boost their prospects, as Millwall should seek to win this game.