Lee Bullen explains why he felt he had to ‘leave’ Sheffield Wednesday in 2022

The former utility man spent four years at Hillsborough and helped them win the League One play-offs in 2005 before helping them stay up in his final season.

Bullen left the club in 2008 but returned just three years later to become a youth coach.

He was then promoted to assistant manager in 2015, working alongside Carlos Carvalhal.

Bullen had three separate spells as interim manager in three years before becoming U23 manager in August 2020.

The 53-year-old eventually left Sheffield Wednesday in January 2022 to become manager of Scottish Championship side Ayr United.

Four months after leaving Ayr, Bullen has now explained how he knew he had to leave two years ago on Wednesday.

Lee Bullen was ‘ready’ to become Sheffield Wednesday manager

Speaking on the BBC’s Owls Heaven podcast, Bullen said: “The first time I wasn’t ready, I knew I wasn’t ready. I loved it, but I knew I wasn’t ready and I loved my role as an assistant. I enjoyed being the liaison between the players and the coaching staff.

“The second time I did it, I really liked it. Obviously, the results dictate everything. We won two and drew two.

“So I think we lost one game during the pre-season, then I think we were top of the league for two or three games. Then we had a couple of results that fell for us and then, by the time the first international break comes around, we knew there was a decision to be made here.

“We had QPR before the international break and I’m at home thinking if we win this one we’ve won five out of seven games. They have to give me the job. Bizarrely, we lost that match, it was a painful one. But the president comes to me and asks, who do you think I should give the job to? So I told myself. My relationship with the president was great, but at that point, I just knew I wasn’t going to get the chance. Then he tells me, but if I give you the job, I’ll have to lay you off for a while. I was prepared for it and understood it. I thought I was ready for it at the time. I thought I had the players on my side and all that.

“But the decision was made to bring Garry Monk in and then he made the decision to bring his people in. There is no problem with that. I went back to the U21s and then I thought, if I really want to do this, be my own man, I’ll have to go on Wednesday.”

Bullen has been without a club since leaving Ayr United in January.

Despite his close link with Sheffield Wednesday and the supporters, it now seems unlikely that he will return if he is still keen to return to management.

Sheffield Wednesday should be delighted with their current coaching staff

Bullen has been a brilliant servant to the club both on the field and in the dugout, but the Owls will surely be very happy with their current coaching staff.

Not only has Danny Rohl really impressed since joining in October, but so has everyone around him.

Chris Powell has made a positive impact since his arrival and is likely to earn himself a new contract, while performance manager Sascha Lense has also been vital, bringing his experience from Schalke, RB Leipzig and Manchester United .

Wednesday have a brilliant squad both on and off the pitch, and there’s no denying that the future looks a lot brighter than it has for a long time.