Controversial Leeds United figure Harry Kewell has been sacked less than six months into his first overseas managerial job, and has now reacted on Instagram to his exit.
Ask Leeds fans about Kewell and the majority will reply in an angry tone. The Australian left Leeds to join Liverpool in 2003 after a decade at Elland Road, initially joining the Yorkshire side’s academy in 1993.
Kewell went on to play just eight games shy of a huge 250 in all competitions for Leeds. He was a crucial part of the David O’Leary era that reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2001, losing to Valencia.
But it was something five years after his Elland Road exit that angered Leeds fans. Especially, as Kewell was part of the Leeds side that went to Turkish side Galatasaray in the UEFA Cup semi-finals back in 2000.
Kewell loses first managerial job as Leeds figure sacked in Japan
The night before the first semi-final against Galatasaray, Leeds fans Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight were murdered by the Turkish club’s fans. The game went ahead, with Leeds under pressure from UEFA.
A 2-0 loss, and a 2-2 draw at Elland Road, saw Leeds knocked out. Kewell played in both legs, making his decision to join Galatasaray in 2008 dumbfounding and consequently, universally hated by Leeds fans.
Kewell has since become a manager with Crawley, Notts County, Oldham and then Barnet. He worked under Ange Postecoglou at Celtic, before going to Ange’s old side Yokohoma F. Marinos in Japan as boss.
Kewell takes to Instagram after Yokohoma F. Marinos sacking
Kewell hardly set the world alight with his work in the lower leagues of England. But he had the chance to win silverware at Yokohoma, something Postecoglou did in charge of the J-League side before Celtic.
But Kewell struggled, winning only 13 of his 33 games in charge after becoming manager in December. This week, the Aussie was sacked with Yokohama failing to win any silverware, and second in the League.
Kewell admits he failed to do the job he set out to do in Japan, with Yokohama F. Marinos: “Although I was unable to complete the job I set out to do, I look back on our incredible journey with pride.
“Competing for a chance to win the Champions League was a huge test, and despite just missing out in the final, the emotions and memories from that campaign are unforgettable, thanks to players and fans.”
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