Gus Poyet has been tipped for managerial stardom – by one of his former Leeds players.

Ian Westlake worked under the new Albion boss and Dennis Wise at Elland Road before later joining the Seagulls on loan during the reign of Dean Wilkins.

The former Ipswich midfielder relished the experience and expects Poyet to thrive now that he has become a No. 1 for the first time.

“I think he will be very successful as a manager,” Westlake said. “Everyone liked him at Leeds.

“You need to get the players on your side and he will have no problem doing that. He is one of those people that you want to play for.

“He has always wanted to take that step and now that he has got his chance he will really go for it and I think he’ll do well.

“Gus did nearly all of the coaching at Leeds so I would imagine he will be quite a hands-on manager.

“It was always enjoyable. They were good sessions, hard work but fun.

“It was all about winning. He had a very winning mentality and it was win at all costs.

“As far as him and Wisey were concerned, there was nothing wrong with pulling someone down for a yellow card in the middle of the pitch. That winning ethos was one I agreed with.”

READ MORE OF IAN WESTLAKE'S THOUGHTS IN THE ARGUS TODAY