Lee Bowyer hails 'miracle worker' as former Whites star expresses delight at Leeds United's promotion

Bowyer made 265 appearances for the Whites between 1996 and 2003 and the 43-year-old who is now manager of Charlton Athletic admits was delighted to see the club end their 16-year exile from the Premier League.

United sealed automatic promotion on Friday evening without even playing as second-placed West Brom suffered a 2-1 reverse at Huddersfield Town and United were then crowned champions of the division on Saturday afternoon as third-placed Brentford also slipped up through a 1-0 loss at Stoke City.

It means United are heading back to the Premier League for the first time since 2004 with Bowyer hailing the impact of United's former Argentina head coach Bielsa who inherited a side that finished 13th in 2017-18.

"I'm delighted, delighted for the club," said Bowyer of United's promotion.

"It's a massive club and the Premiership is going to be a better place with them in it.

"It's been too long for them to not be in the Premiership so I'm really happy for the football club, for the fans and for the owners because they chose the right man there in bringing in Bielsa.

"He's worked miracles there and I'm really pleased for everybody at the club."

Bowyer was speaking before his relegation-battling Charlton side took in Saturday afternoon's home clash against Wigan Athletic in which Macauley Bonne struck in the 92nd minute to give the Addicks a 2-2 draw.

Athletic's final game of the season will now come at Leeds on Wednesday night with Bowyer heading back to Elland Road with his side one place above the dropzone but only ahead of third-bottom Luton Town on goal difference.

Luton, 1-0 winners at Hull City on Saturday, host Blackburn Rovers on the final day.

"It’s in our hands and that’s all you can ask for is to be in control of your own destiny because it’s better than relying on others," said Bowyer to Charlton's official website about the trip to Leeds.

"I have a group there that will keep fighting and keep pushing and I just wish we’d had a bit of luck here and there since we’ve got back because we’ve been good since we’ve come back from lockdown."

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Thank you Laura Collins