Leeds United have had some great managers in their history. And even in modern times, they continue to pick up some great additions to lead the team.
Don Revie, Howard Wilkinson and David O’Leary have been some of the names the club have had in the past. In the modern era, Simon Grayson and Marcelo Bielsa have also been great appointments by the club.
David O’Leary’s time at the club is fondly remembered by Leeds United fans. In his four years, he guided the team to a Champions League semi-final. The job he did in charge of the club was so good, he was earmarked to be Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor in 2002.
David O’Leary expected Leeds United to hire Martin O’Neil
It was not that straightforward for O’Leary; he did not get the Leeds job in the first place. He started out as an assistant to George Graham who was in charge for just two seasons. Graham left the club in 1998 and O’Leary was caretaker for a few games.
He was eventually appointed on a permanent deal in the next month. But he was not always the first choice; Martin O’Neil, who was with Leicester City at that time, seemed to be the best choice. O’Leary narrated what happened in the weeks when George Graham left the club.
”We went out to Rome, got the game, and all the directors in that weren’t really thinking, talking to me or anything else, but there was a thing on the following day after result in Rome, Martin O’Neil signed a new contract at Leicester.” O’Leary said on The Overlap.
”And the Director said to me, ‘Get off the plane at Leeds’.
”David, where are you going now? I said, I’m going home.”
”He said, could we come and see you this evening? And, he came along, and said, they like you, have the job.”
READ MORE: Former Leeds manager ‘had talks’ to take over from Alex Ferguson at Man United
The club’s decision worked out for the best
Sometimes when you work under a top class coach, you learn a lot. David O’Leary admitted that George Graham often let him lead training sessions and that was where he learnt how to manage a team.
And he was not handed the job; he had to prove himself. What he did as caretaker was enough to convince the club to consider him to take over the team. It might have been a gamble of that time, but it worked out for the best.
David O’Leary was in charge of 203 games and won 101 of them. Even though he did not win any trophies, semi-final finishes in the UEFA Cup and the Champions League were enough proof that he was a right choice at the time.
