David O’Leary’s time as Leeds manager was a period of thrilling success, and years later, he was even brought in for talks about a potential return to the club.
Taking over in 1998, he guided a young, talented side, dubbed “O’Leary’s Babes”, to the semi-finals of both the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Champions League.
The team played an exciting, attacking brand of football that captivated fans and saw them consistently finish in the top five of the Premier League.
This period is fondly remembered for the likes of Alan Smith, Harry Kewell, and a number of other talented young players.
And according to O’Leary, he was once brought in for a chat about a potential return, but Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta left him unimpressed.
David O'Leary, former Leeds United manager.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Why one meeting left David O’Leary so unimpressed
In an interview with The Telegraph, O’Leary told the tale of a bizarre meeting with Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta.
“I wasn’t sure about the idea of going back (to Leeds), but there was no harm talking. I went for a meeting in London I thought was private.
“I get a cab from the station and the cabbie says to me ‘oh are you here about the Leeds job?’ And I’m thinking: right, not that private then.
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
“And I go to the meeting and it is not good. I’m not impressed by the man, even worse, he had his sporting director with him, who was an absolute fruitcake, jumping up and down.
“I tell them what I think is needed, and they don’t really respond. They’re all fiddling on their phones. It’s no way to deal with someone.
“I was getting more and more peed off with their attitude. So I walk out and never hear from them again.”
Another mighty slip-up from Radrizzani and Orta.
Andrea Radrizzani owner of Leeds United and Victor Orta director of football.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta’s reign at Elland Road
While Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta are remembered for bringing Marcelo Bielsa to Leeds, their legacies are overshadowed by the disastrous decisions, leading the 49ers to promise to never repeat Radrizzani’s mistake.
Radrizzani’s biggest failing was the unpopular sacking of Bielsa, which began a spiral of decline. His reputation was further damaged by a number of expensive flop signings and erratic public behaviour, including biting back at Leeds fans on X.
The ultimate betrayal was using Elland Road as collateral for a loan for another club, a move that enraged fans and hastened his departure.
Orta’s position soured due to a string of poor managerial appointments after Bielsa. His transfer record included costly flops like Jean-Kevin Augustin and Georginio Rutter, who failed to deliver on their significant price tags.
Most damningly, the contracts he approved left Leeds vulnerable, allowing key players to leave on loan after relegation and crippling the club financially.
Their messy exits left Leeds in disarray, with their initial success a distant memory for many.