Charlton Athletic boss Lee Bowyer is on Leeds United’s radar as a potential successor to current boss Marcelo Bielsa.
The claim was made in a Q&A for The Athletic, a subscription-based sports website with former Yorkshire Evening Post writer Phil Hay suggesting that he was and still could be a coach on the Whites’ radar.
After being asked whether Leeds had made a shortlist of coaches in case Bielsa didn’t stay on in the summer, Hay said: “It didn’t ever get that far. They were on with Bielsa straight away and within about 48 hours of the play-off semi-final, they were sure he’d be staying.
“In terms of coaches they like, Lee Bowyer is someone who’s caught their eye (and caught their eye a while ago).”
Bowyer is a former Leeds United player, making almost 250 appearances between 1996 and 2003.
He was pivotal to help take the Whites to the semi-finals of the Champions League back in the 2000/01 season, and who could forget that long-range effort of his that ended up being fumbled by Dida and crossing the line to see them beat AC Milan at Elland Road.
It wouldn’t be surprise is many clubs have been looking or keeping an eye on Bowyer with the 42 year old making a brilliant start to his managerial career.
He took over as caretaker from karl Robinson back in March, but after many very impressive displays and a rise up the League One table, he took the Addicks to the playoffs in the 2017/18 season.
It came to much delight to supporters who at the time and you could say still are wanting owner Roland Duchâtelet to step down.
Charlton ended up losing in the semi-finals which earned Bowyer the full-time job ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.
The following season, he again took them to the playoffs after finishing 3rd finish. This time they came out victorious beating Sunderland at Wembley.
Not long after the playoff win, he turned down the offer of a contract extension, with the club (and owner Roland Duchatelet) announcing that Bowyer and the club were unable to reach an agreement. However, he later made a sudden u-turn by reversing his decision in signing a new year-long deal.
It’s fair to say he still have them in his heart, giving supporters a Leeds salute after Charlton and Leeds played each other in September.
Leeds Leeds Leeds!
Lee Bowyer with a Leeds salute in front of the Leeds fans ? pic.twitter.com/Lk5KUV4JIP
— John (@John_MooreMOT) September 28, 2019
Charlton Athletic currently sit ninth in the Championship table and just one point outside the playoffs.
Leeds are in 3rd with 25 points, three points more than the Addicks, after 14 games played.
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