Former Leeds United manager David O’Leary has opened up about how he potentially could have succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson sent shockwaves throughout football in 2001 after the iconic former Aberdeen manager announced his intent to leave the Red Devils in 2002.
The 84-year-old legendary former Manchester United manager planned to see out the 2001-02 Premier League campaign before he stepped down at Old Trafford.
However, Ferguson made a U-turn on the decision to make his exit from the Premier League club and the United legend also walked back on his call to potentially retire at the time.
Ex-Leeds Utd boss David O’Leary was asked about the links of him taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Man Utd in 2002
Sir Alex Ferguson had been in talks over a new deal at the Premier League club in 2001 before discussions collapsed and triggered the Scotsman’s initial retirement decision.
Peter Kenyon, the former chief executive at Manchester United, had been on the hunt for Ferguson’s long-term successor in 2002 in the event the Scot did leave.
David O’Leary had been at Leeds United during the time that Ferguson was set to leave in 2002 and the former Aston Villa boss admitted he was one potential candidate.
“Michael Kennedy [solicitor and advisor at Leeds] did, yeah, about it [Man Utd’s interest],” he told The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast.
“Alex had recommended three people or something like that. So yeah, never went any further than that, but yeah.”
Who were the two other managers that Sir Alex Ferguson picked to replace him at Man Utd aside from David O’Leary?
Former Celtic owner Dermot Desmond had previously claimed that Ferguson had also felt either Martin O’Neill or Alan Curbishley could replace him at Man Utd.
Speaking to The Athletic in 2020, he said: “In 2000, I went back and asked him if he was to pick his replacement at that time, who would it be.
“He said there were three people: Dave O’Leary, Alan Curbishley and Martin O’Neill. I said the one I’m interested in is Martin O’Neill.
“I had previously asked a prominent broadcaster if Martin would be interested in the job and I got a response in the negative.
“I then asked Alex if he would speak with Martin, to see if he would meet with me, and the response was that he would be very interested in meeting.
“So, I met Martin for dinner and we got on very well. I introduced him to Pat and Brian and they also felt he was a remarkable individual, so we hired Martin.”
Ferguson continued on as Man Utd manager after U-turning on his planned 2002 exit and the former Aberdeen boss would later retire from management in 2013.
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