Former Leeds United manager David O’Leary is being linked with a new role as a member of the boardroom at his former club Arsenal, according to The Mirror.
They report that several members of the backroom staff are considering O’Leary for a job as the club consultant. The decision is supported by chairman Sir Chips Keswick, but the man who the appointment would affect the most, Raul Sanllehi is said to be against the potential appointment.
O’Leary has plenty of history with Arsenal. He was a player at the North London club for an astonishing 19 years, making over 700 appearances for the club.
O’Leary has held an ambassadorial role at the club since 2014, but is wanted by many of the hierarchy at the Emirates to help with recruitment.
The former Republic of Ireland international has plenty of experience in managing at the top level, and handling the best players in the game.
He was in charge of Leeds United between 1998-2002, and guided them to the Champions League Semi Finals in 2001. This was Leeds’ most successful spell in recent history, and the team he had was second to none. Following his sacking from the Elland Road club, everything went downhill for Leeds, as the club were relegated to the second tier, before dropping down to the third tier just a number of years later.
O’Leary was also successful at Aston Villa, guiding the Midlands side to sixth, their highest ever Premier League finish, but they missed out on a European place due to Middlesbrough winning the 2004 Carling Cup.
