Former Leeds United midfielder Lee Bowyer says adopting a Marcelo Bielsa-esque style of play is one of the ways he would get the Whites back into the Premier League following their disastrous campaign that ended in relegation this season.
Bowyer, who spent six-and-a-half seasons at Elland Road and has also talked up his desire to take the helm in West Yorkshire as the club continues their search for a new boss, told talkSPORT how he would get Leeds promoted at the first attempt.
“You do it the way Bielsa did it, you play this expansive and attacking football. That’s what the fans there cry out for and as long as you're on the front foot and you're pressing that’s why everyone loved them so much," he said.
Bielsa’s Leeds side recorded a club-record 93-point haul in the Championship when they were promoted in 2020. The Argentine was lauded for his fast-paced attacking football that Whites fans adored, only for him to be sacked in February 2022 following a run of heavy defeats.
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Bowyer feels that Bielsa took a mediocre side to the Premier League with just a tactical switch.
“They were an average team, they were a mid-table to tenth Championship side, and with the same group of players he got them promotion,” Bowyer said.
Under Bielsa Leeds were often a free-scoring team with some leaks at the back, Bowyer feels that he would have them be better defensively to get back up.
“I’d like to think I’d be a little bit more defensive-minded and more organised out of possession, but I would definitely play on that attacking front,” Bowyer added.
The former Leeds man thinks that the Whites will need to be active in the transfer window this summer if they are to get promoted at the first time of asking.
“I think they need to bring a couple. I think striker-wise, Bamford is a bit injury prone, they definitely need two strikers, if they had that they would get out the division.”
Bamford returned from a long-term injury in February but managed only four goals across the whole campaign. Bowyer believes that the Whites will be better at the back next season, but their fate may depend on who stays at the club following relegation.
“It’s just whether they can keep hold of players like (Jack) Harrison, he was a big player them and he stood out on the last game."
