Leeds dismiss O’Leary move

DAVID O’LEARY’S chances of making a managerial return to Leeds have been dismissed as “unlikely in the extreme”.

While it is reported O’Leary has support in the form of plc deputy chairman Allan Leighton and that contact has been made between the two parties, a Leeds spokesman has poured cold water on the prospect.

O’Leary has insisted he is happy in his present role at Aston Villa, despite the uneasy atmosphere which exists between the Irishman and chairman Doug Ellis in light of the lack of transfer funds.

Yet one leading bookmaker has slashed the odds on O’Leary heading back to Leeds from the 66-1 quoted at the start of the week in the wake of Peter Reid’s sacking to 7-1.

Financially, though, reappointing O’Leary would not be an astute move for a cash-strapped club saddled by a £78 million debt. Leeds are still paying the 45-year-old following his previous spell at the club.

O’Leary, sacked in May, 2002, after nearly four years at the helm, was awarded close to £4 million in compensation payable over the duration of a contract which would have run up to August, 2005.

Leeds would also have to find the cash to buy O’Leary out of his current deal with Villa, as well as pay him for any new one he would sign.

And if O’Leary feels he would be welcomed back with open arms at Elland Road, then he is sadly mistaken, as supporters have never forgiven him for the controversial book he wrote in the wake of the trial involving Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate. They maintain it shattered team morale, splitting the dressing room and was pivotal to the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League. John Boocock, chairman of the Leeds United Shareholders’ Trust, said: “We could end up paying three times to have O’Leary back as manager. The £4.4 million we are due to receive from Leighton and this mystery benefactor, all that would do is help pay for O’Leary. It makes no sense. O’Leary can come back, but only on the basis that he doesn’t get paid because we are still paying him anyway for his last contract.”

Leeds United Independent Fans’ Association co-founder Simon Jose pointedly remarked: “I would rather gouge my eyes out with a rusty spoon than have O’Leary back!

“I think a lot of people are unaware of the damage his book did to the club, the way he lost the dressing room.

“There’s no way he would get that back. I don’t think Leeds fans want him back anyway, and I certainly don’t want anybody connected with the past chaos at Leeds United.”

“Steady” Eddie Gray, who has been handed the role on a caretaker basis, is backed by both Boocock and Jose, among many others, for the post until the end of the season.

Nottingham Forest manager Paul Hart remains the bookies’ favourite, yet it is clear the Leeds board are initially pinning their hopes on Whites legend Gray for at least the home game with Bolton on Saturday week.

When you consider time is on Leeds’ side, given this weekend’s international break, Leeds have had the perfect opportunity to make an approach for the likes of Hart, Neil Warnock or Gary Megson, and have him installed for the Bolton visit.

Yet new United chief executive Trevor Birch has insisted the club will take their time, indicating Gray has the opportunity to stake a claim for the permanent job he claims he wants.

“I’d stick with Eddie to get us through the rest of the season,” added Boocock, with Gray taking his first training session yesterday.

“I feel confident with him running things because he will bring stability, or at least Eddie and Paul Hart in a dream team because they have the experience and talent to do the job.”

Whether Hart would want to work with Gray after being sold by the latter during his previous spell in charge between 1982-85 remains to be seen.