Leeds United were one of the biggest clubs in England during the 1990s.
The Whites lifted the first division title in 1992. Seven years later, the club was on the brink of Champions League football. David O’Leary arrived at the club in October 1998. Just a year later, he guided Leeds to Champions League qualification.
O’Leary took over from George Graham who only managed to finish in 5th place behind Chelsea the previous season. In 1998/99, Leeds qualified for the Champions League after finishing fourth.
In the summer of 1999, Leeds splashed the cash to prepare for a campaign in Europe. The Whites spent over £30million on Darren Huckerby, Danny Mills, Eirik Bakke, Michael Duberry, Michael Bridges and Jason Wilcox. Almost all these players succeeded and were loved by the Elland Road faithful.
However, there was one player Leeds missed out on signing.
QUIZ: Can you name the missing sponsor on these 10 Leeds United shirts?
Former England international wishes he joined Leeds United in his prime
Credit: Imago Images
In 1998/99, Keiron Dyer was one of the best players at a stacked Newcastle United side. Recently, the 45-year old revealed how he almost joined Leeds United.
Dyer was narrating what happened, when he was sought after by multiple big clubs including Leeds United:
“If I’d known what I know now and all the managers I’d spoken to, I know Arsenal wanted me as a right-back, Harry Redknapp was playing three at the back [at West Ham].” He said speaking on Open goal.
“Ruud Gullit [at Newcastle] and David O’Leary [at Leeds] saw me as a midfielder. I know Leeds and Arsenal bid £5m. I get pulled in by the manager’s [George Burley] office. ‘We’ve accepted a bid from Newcastle’.
“You don’t get time. This is no disrespect to Newcastle, I had an amazing time there, but if I had thought about it, I would have held tight for Leeds and Arsenal to up bids. Arsenal would’ve been the dream.”
Leeds are still one of the biggest clubs in England, with recent deals with Red Bull and Adidas as evidence of the club’s status.
Kieron Dyer still had a great career
Joining one of the biggest clubs in England at that point in his career would have been great but Dyer was still successful after that incident. The midfielder was named in the PFA team of the year in back to back seasons: 1997/98 and 1998/99. Dyer was also in the PFA Premier League team of the year in 2003.
He went on to play for England at Euro 2004, and was at the 2002 World Cup. After his playing career he has still managed to make an impact.
Dyer worked his way from U18 coach with Ipswich Town in 2014, to U23 coach at the same club in 2020 before becoming a first team coach in 2021.
His coaching path is similar to former Leeds United forward Robbie Keane, who has been linked with the vacant Coventry City job.
