Leeds United have had their fair share of star players that forced a move away from the club in their history. From Jimmy Hasselbaink to Rio Ferdinand, the Whites are not short of controversial exits.
Even though in recent years, the club has not dealt with dramatic exits, their history is littered with that.
Rio Ferdinand forced Peter Risdale’s hand as he joined Manchester United.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink also left Elland Road on very unfavourable terms.
Till date, fans remember how these players left the club and always show their displeasure when their names have brought up again.
Leeds United favourite admits falling out with club chairman
Lee Bowyer arrived at Leeds United in 1996 as one of the most expensive teenagers in English football. Despite not being an immediate starter in the team, when his time came he flourished.
The midfielder was a major part in David O’Leary’s side when they qualified for the Champions League in the 1999/2000 season.
He won the club’s Player of the Year award twice in a great spell for the Whites. In 2002, after a series of controversial issues off the pitch at Elland Road, he was set to leave.
Liverpool had a huge offer prepared to sign him, but Reds manager Gerard Houllier pulled the plug, and Bowyer joined West Ham in January.
On the Premier League Stories series on TNT Sports, the former England man revealed that he fellout with Chairman Peter Risdale after the failed Liverpool move.
“The move didn’t fall through, it was my decision. I went through a medical at Liverpool – I only had a year left on my contract at Leeds.
“I was there at Liverpool, having the medical, I was laid on the medical bed, and I don’t know why but something just said this ain’t for me.
“It just didn’t feel right, but now looking back, if I had one regret in football, I would say that it’s not going to Liverpool.
“I then had a fallout with the chairman Peter Ridsdale. There were things said to me that he never followed through with, and then because of that he put me on the transfer list.
“So I said, that’s it then, I’m done here. That’s the only reason I left Leeds, because I had a fallout with the chairman.
“I absolutely love Leeds United football club. I loved my time there, the fans were great with me. We had such a great relationship. They were the best days of my career.
“Terry Venables then came in as Leeds manager and I said look, I just need to go home. That’s the way I felt. That’s why I said no to Liverpool and then signed for West Ham.”
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What happened after Lee Bowyer left Elland Road
After the failed move to Liverpool, Bowyer joined West Ham in January 2003.
It was a short contract, with the midfielder failing to extend his stay as the Hammer were relegated. He joined Newcastle on a free transfer, where he made 98 appearances.
Bowyer returned to West Ham in 2006, staying for three years before ending his career in 2012 after stints with Birmingham City and Ipswich Town.
He went on to have a managerial career which started in 2018. Lee Bowyer has coached three teams so far; Charlton, Birmingham City and Montserrat.
