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Post Graham and Caspian front man Peter Ridsdale was left with the task of finding the next
manager. It was rumoured Martin O'Neill was up for the job but
his club Liecester didn't allow him to talk to Leeds. Ridsdale turned to David O'Leary who
was acting caretaker while the search went on. The second time of asking and O'Leary accepted the
offer. Taking over with seven games played, he steered the team to fourth place.
O'Leary's team played an attacking and exciting style of football and he showed great
faith in the youth. The next season Leeds finished third and made the semi of the UEFA Cup. It could
have been glorious for Leeds but for two incidents. One involving key players
Woodgate and Bowyer who were both in court, accused of assaulting an Asian. The other devastating
incident saw two
Leeds fans murdered before the away leg of the UEFA Cup semi.
Despite these events O'Leary's Leeds made it to the Champions Lge semi
the following season and finished fourth. Good times at Elland Road and hope was high.
The damaging court case, after nearly two years came to an end in 2001-02.
O'Leary though, had published a book 'Leeds United On trial'.
This drove an irreparable wedge between O'Leary and Ridsdale.
Ridsdale unhappy about O'Leary gaining from something so
damaging. The players also were tired of O'Leary's public attacks. After Leeds finished fifth in the league O'Leary was sacked.
|
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 |
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| League |
Season |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
Pos |
Notes |
| Premier Lge |
1998-99 |
38 |
18 |
13 |
7 |
62 |
34 |
67 |
4th |
O'Leary shows confidence in youth and drives them to fourth. |
| Premier Lge |
1999-00 |
38 |
21 |
6 |
11 |
58 |
43 |
69 |
3rd |
So close to a glorious season blighted by tragedy. |
| Premier Lge |
2000-01 |
38 |
20 |
8 |
10 |
64 |
43 |
68 |
4th |
Admirable nights in Europe and a decent finish in fourth. |
| Premier Lge |
2001-02 |
38 |
18 |
12 |
8 |
53 |
37 |
66 |
5th |
O'Leary writes his way to redundancy after Leeds finish fifth. |
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None
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Leeds United 2000-01 (David O'Leary Fourth In From Bottom Right)
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