Leeds legend desperate to become manager and confident he could be man to lead them back to Premier League

LEE BOWYER told Leeds’ incoming new owners that he is the ideal candidate to lead the Whites back up into the Prem.

Leeds are edging closer to a full takeover by 49ers Enterprises following relegation to the Championship.

The American group behind the NFL franchise San Francisco 49ers already own 44 per cent and have been locked in talks with owner Andrea Radrizzani.

A deal is close to being agreed, with a new manager top of the in-tray for the new United chiefs.

Desperate Radrizzani turned to Sam Allardyce for the final four games of the season but the veteran picked up just one point as Leeds dropped out of the Prem.

And former midfield favourite Bowyer insists he can stop the rot and fire the West Yorkshiremen back into the big time.

Steven Gerrard is in pole position to replace Big Sam, with West Brom’s Carlos Corberan and Scott Parker also under consideration.

But ex-Charlton and Birmingham boss Bowyer said: “I know the Championship now. A few years of management there, I understand it, I watched it all last season.

“You analyse and see what it takes to be promoted. 

“I believe that if I went in there I would get them promoted again.

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“At Charlton we beat Leeds in the Championship. Andrea came in and said: You’re really good and one day you will manage this football club. 

“Let’s just see what happens.”

Bowyer, who has been out of work since leaving Birmingham last July, spent six-and-a-half years at Elland Road and revealed he held talks over coming in to try and save Leeds’ season before being overlooked for Allardyce.  

Speaking to talkSPORT, he added: “There was a message or two exchanged but the decision was to go with Big Sam because of experience.

“Would I have fancied my chances of keeping Leeds up? Of course I would.

“That didn’t work out and going forward I like to think that we’d have a conversation and try and put something together.

“I’d love to get that club going again – I would jump at the chance.”