Former Liverpool defender Markus Babbel is the new favourite to be the new manager of Millwall.

The Championship side have been on the look out for a new coach following the resignation of long-term boss Kenny Jackett earlier this month.

Despite the usual suspects being linked with the New Den, The Independent understands that Millwall's American owners want to steer the club in a new direction, however deny a deal is yet done.

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Babbel, who played for Liverpool between 2000 and 2004 after joining from Bayern Munich and was among the 2001 treble winning side, has been out of work since he was fired by struggling Hoffenheim last December.

Despite his last role ending in difficult circumstances, his record in his native country is impressive. He led Stuttgart to the Champions League in what was his first managerial job and gained promotion to the Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin in his second.

It is known that Babbel is among those to apply for the vacancy at Millwall and The Independent understands the club were impressed by the manner of the 40-year-old's approach, with the former defender being among the first applicants.

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