Report: One-time Leeds United star discussed as Gracia successor

Leeds United have considered making a move to appoint Lee Bowyer as an interim manager in place of Javi Gracia.

The Whites look increasingly likely to sack Gracia after Sunday’s 4-1 defeat at Bournemouth.

Leeds only appointed the Spaniard in January, picking him as a replacement for Jesse Marsch.

It’s all going wrong for Gracia though and Leeds are seemingly going to make another managerial change.

The frontrunner appears to be Sam Allardyce but Leeds have considered other options.

Bowyer is understood to be interested in the job, even if it would only be for the next four games.

Leeds end their season with games against Manchester City, Newcastle United, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur.

That’s a daunting task but Bowyer would seemingly love a return to Leeds in an attempt to keep them in the Premier League.

Lee Bowyer’s history at Leeds United

Bowyer hails from London and started his career with Charlton Athletic before being snapped up by Leeds.

Leeds paid a then-record fee for a teenager as Bowyer joined the Whites for £2.8million in 1996.

Bowyer racked up 265 appearances for Leeds and scored 55 goals, earning a reputation as a real goalscoring midfielder in the Premier League.

Bowyer also picked up an England cap during his time with Leeds, but he was offloaded to West Ham United in 2003.

There were a few off-field issues for Bowyer during his time at Leeds but he certainly enjoyed the best time of his playing career at Elland Road.

Bowyer has since turned to management, taking over at Charlton in 2018.

Bowyer earned huge praise for his work with the Addicks, guiding the club to promotion from League One back in 2019.

A 2021 move to Birmingham City didn’t quite work out, winning just 28.8% of his matches with the Blues.

Out of management since last summer, Bowyer fancies a return to Leeds – but whether he can beat Allardyce to the job is another matter.