Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Neil Moxley & Hassan Rashed

Arsenal consider giving former captain David O'Leary job as consultant

Members of Arsenal's hierarchy are considering former captain David O'Leary for a job as a club consultant.

Chairman Sir Chips Keswick is among those at the North London club who want to appoint the Irishman, as reported by Neil Moxley in his column for The People.

O'Leary made a record 722 appearances for the Gunners during his 19 years at Highbury and has held an ambassadorial role since 2014.

It is understood that Keswick, who has been the club's chairman since 2013 after initially joining the board of directors in 2005, wants O'Leary to assist with the club's recruitment, in particular.

However, Arsenal's current head of football Raul Sanllehi - the man who would be most affected by his arrival - is understood to be against the move .

David O'Leary has been an ambassador for Arsenal since 2014 (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

In addition to spending almost two decades with the Gunners as a player, O'Leary also has experience as a manager with the likes of Leeds United and Aston Villa.

He enjoyed success with both clubs, helping to take Leeds to the semi-finals of the Champions League in the 2000-01 season before their defeat to Valencia.

The Republic of Ireland international also helped Villa to finish sixth in the Premier League - one point outside a European spot - in his first full season with the Midlands club and with a limited budget.

Arsenal's head of football Raul Sanllehi (R) is understood to be against the move (Craig Mercer/Sportimage via PA Images)

O'Leary, who helped Arsenal to two league titles and FA Cup triumphs as a player, has been spotted at many of the Gunners' matches this season.

Despite currently sitting sixth in the table, Unai Emery's side have struggled to find consistency and are eight points adrift of the top four after a taking just two points in their last four league games.

Following a 2-0 defeat to Leicester City before the international break, Arsenal return to action next Saturday when they host a Southampton side that is currently struggling in the relegation zone.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.