Former St Helens and Wigan coach Ian Millward admits he did have second thoughts about joining Championship One club Leigh following their recent relegation.

Millward agreed to take over the Centurions in 2010 earlier this year, only for the Super League aspirants' 2009 campaign to unravel and end in shock demotion to the third tier.

The Australian's task is now to plot the club's ascent back towards the elite competition they last played in in 2005 - but he concedes that relegation was a huge shock to him.

"To be honest I did have second thoughts," said the 45-year-old, who has worked at North Queensland Cowboys and Canberra Raiders since leaving Wigan in 2006.

"I beat myself up for a week about it but you've got to move on.

"What convinced me was the enthusiasm (chairman) Arthur Thomas had.

"There is a lot of real excitement. It's a club with a new stadium, a new outlook and a lot of vision.

"I'll be the face of the club. If I don't move forward positively it will stagnate. I'll accept that responsibility."

Millward was speaking as he was officially unveiled as the Centurions head coach for a second time on Tuesday.

He cut his teeth with the Centurions at the old Hilton Park in 1998 before going on to win two Super League titles and two Challenge Cups with Saints.

His tenure at Knowsley Road came to an abrupt halt when he was controversially sacked in 2005 and he returned to Australia the following year after an unsuccessful stint with arch rivals Wigan.

"Now I feel is the right time to come back to the UK," said Millward, who has signed a three-year contract at Leigh Sports Village.

"There is a lot of work to be done. It will take time but I can assure everyone at the end of my term it will be a lot more successful club, a lot more consistent, a lot more disciplined and a club that is winning on a regular basis."

At present Leigh's only hope of being able to fulfil the criteria to apply for Super League in 2012 is by winning this year's Northern Rail Cup.

That could change if they are granted a reprieve from relegation due to the uncertainty over the future of Gateshead Thunder.

"With the Gateshead factor the club could get a second chance, but it's out of our hands," said Millward.