Kewell hails Venables' influence

Leeds midfielder Harry Kewell has hailed former Elland Road boss Terry Venables as the best manager he has ever played under.

Venables was sacked by Leeds earlier this month as the club continued to struggle in the Premiership.

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.