Viduka played under Venables when he was in charge of the Australian national side and believes he can work wonders at Elland Road.

"There's no better man to take over from O'Leary than Venables," Viduka told the BBC.

"He's a proven coach and one of the best England has.

"First of all I'm surprised that O'Leary left. I didn't expect it and it was a big surprise to me.

"But I think Venables is a good decision. I don't think there's a better coach than him.

"Everybody who came away from that Australian team said he was an unbelievable coach, so hopefully he will be the same here."

Gary Mabbutt believes Venables has taken the job to prove he is capable of winning the Premiership.

Venables won the FA Cup with Tottenham in 1991 and led Barcelona to the Spanish league title.

But Mabbutt, who was Venables' captain during his time at Spurs, says his former boss has unfinished business in English football.

"Terry still wants to prove himself as a manager that can win championships.

"He won the FA Cup at Tottenham but that's all he's achieved in his time in English football.

"I'm sure he wants to build on that and what an opportunity this will be for him," said Mabbutt.

Another of Venables' charges at White Hart Lane, Chris Waddle, expects him to get the best out of the Leeds squad.

"I think experienced managers know how to put their arm round young players," said Waddle.

"He knows how to look after players. He talks to you as a friend as well as a coach."

Waddle believes Venables may be a stop-gap appointment until Martin O'Neill is out of contract at Celtic.

"I read somewhere they (Leeds) might employ Terry Venables for a year until Martin O'Neill is free from his contract at Celtic," Waddle added.

"But if he goes on this season to lift a couple of trophies, or even one trophy, and Leeds are in the Champions League, I'm sure the Leeds fans will not be asking for Martin O'Neill - they will be asking for Terry Venables to carry on."