But Kewell, in an interview given before Venables’ departure, claimed that in spite of bad results, the former England and Australia coach had had a huge influence on his career.

The Australian told the club’s official magazine, Leeds, Leeds, Leeds: “Terry has done wonders for me. I was going through a bad patch, but he picked up my game and brought me back out of it.

“He is the best manager I have had so far. He brings out the best in me.

“All the time he has known me, he has always picked me up front – and I appreciate that.

“I love playing up front. I always thought I could do a job there and he gave me the go-ahead to do it.”

Kewell has been out of action for most of the month due to a back injury but is due to return to training with caretaker boss Peter Reid next week.