Millwall striker Stefan Maierhofer believes Ian Holloway is one of the best managers he has ever played under.

The towering centre-forward scored a fortuitous goal in Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat against 10-man Huddersfield, after a defensive clearance ricocheted off his chest and ended up in the net.

Despite Maierhofer having played for an array of top-flight European clubs, and the Lions still occupying the final relegation place, the Austrian holds Holloway in the highest esteem.

He said: “The manager is absolutely brilliant.

“When we played against Reading in the previous game, after the pre-match team talk I felt like I could kill someone.

“And now after the (Huddersfield) game, we had a 25 minute meeting and he said the right things and that is important for the team as players and as individuals.

“Everyone must learn from these mistakes.

“He talks to everyone and finds the right words every time.”

Although Maierhofer has been team-mates with talented players and been a part of expensive squads, he feels a special affinity with Millwall FC.

He said: “When I played for Red Bull Salzburg, they had a lot of money and we had a lot of good players.

“Kevin Kampl went to Borussia Dortmund for €12 million.

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“Sadio Mané, he plays for Southampton now, he went for €15 million.

“So I have played with a lot of good players at Salzburg and it is different football.

“The club here, it is about personality.

“Everyone goes on the pitch and you have the Lion on your chest - it is about atmosphere.

“When you go out at The Den it is the history, it is a big club and Holloway is one of the best managers.”

Having picked up four points from their previous two games before Saturday’s setback and seemingly on an upward curve, Maierhofer is confident they can put the Terriers defeat behind them this week at Birmingham and Leeds.

The former Bayern Munich man said: “Tomorrow we will wake up and look to have one foot in the future, so we will not look back now.

“Yes it is hard, we lost today but we are looking forward to the big game on Tuesday and a big week.

“The next two games are very important.”

Despite enjoying playing at The Den, the 6ft7in forward believes the expectations of the crowd after Nahki Wells’ sending off early in the second half may have hampered the team.

He said: “I like the atmosphere, I like the crowd and I like the fans.

“But when we play against a team with a man less, you have a point at home, all the supporters think it is not enough.

“But on the other hand, one point is better than losing 3-1.”

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