# David O'Leary

> Irish footballer and manager

**Wikidata**: [Q132026](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132026)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_O'Leary)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/david-o-leary

## Summary
David O'Leary is an Irish former professional footballer and manager, best known for his career with Arsenal F.C. and his later managerial roles. Born on May 2, 1958, he represented the Republic of Ireland internationally and transitioned to management after retiring as a player in 1995.

## Biography
- **Born:** May 2, 1958  
- **Nationality:** Ireland  
- **Education:** [No specific details provided]  
- **Known for:** Long tenure with Arsenal F.C. as a player and contributions to Irish football.  
- **Employer(s):** Arsenal F.C. (player, 1975–1993), Leeds United (manager, 1998–2002), Republic of Ireland national team (manager, 2002–2008)  
- **Field(s):** Association football (soccer)  

## Contributions
- **Playing Career:** Central defender for Arsenal F.C. (1975–1993), winning two First Division titles and two FA Cups.  
- **International Career:** Earned 58 caps for the Republic of Ireland national team (1976–1994).  
- **Managerial Career:** Managed Leeds United (1998–2002), guiding them to UEFA Cup qualification, and later led the Republic of Ireland national team (2002–2008), achieving a 2002 FIFA World Cup playoff appearance.  

## FAQs
**What teams did David O'Leary play for?**  
O'Leary played primarily for Arsenal F.C. from 1975 to 1993, making 722 appearances and winning major honors, including two First Division titles.  

**What were his managerial achievements?**  
As manager of Leeds United, he secured UEFA Cup qualification and later managed the Republic of Ireland national team from 2002 to 2008, narrowly missing World Cup qualification in 2002.  

**How long was his football career?**  
O'Leary's professional career spanned 20 years (1975–1995) as a player, followed by over a decade in management.  

## Why They Matter
David O'Leary is a pivotal figure in Irish football history, bridging the gap between a successful playing career with Arsenal and managerial leadership of the national team. His defensive consistency at Arsenal contributed to the club’s domestic success in the 1980s and 1990s, while his managerial tenure kept Ireland competitive in international tournaments. His transition from player to manager exemplifies longevity and adaptability in professional football.

## Notable For
- **Arsenal F.C. Legacy:** Record appearances (722) for Arsenal upon his retirement in 1993.  
- **International Caps:** 58 appearances for the Republic of Ireland (1976–1994).  
- **Managerial Tenure:** Longest-serving manager of the Republic of Ireland national team (2002–2008).  
- **Playing Honors:** Two First Division titles (1977–78, 1978–79) and two FA Cups (1979, 1993) with Arsenal.  

## Body
### Early Life and Playing Career  
David O'Leary was born on May 2, 1958, in Cork, Ireland. He began his professional football career at Arsenal F.C. in 1975, establishing himself as a central defender. Over 18 seasons, he became a mainstay of the team, contributing to two First Division titles (1977–78, 1978–79) and two FA Cup victories (1979, 1993). O'Leary earned 58 international caps for the Republic of Ireland between 1976 and 1994, participating in UEFA European Championship qualifiers and the 1990 FIFA World Cup.  

### Managerial Career  
After retiring as a player in 1995, O'Leary transitioned to management. He took charge of Leeds United in 1998, leading the club to fifth place in the Premier League and UEFA Cup qualification in the 1999–2000 season. In 2002, he became manager of the Republic of Ireland national team, a role he held until 2008. During his tenure, Ireland narrowly missed qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup after a controversial playoff loss to France.  

### Legacy  
O'Leary’s playing career at Arsenal set a benchmark for defensive consistency, while his managerial roles highlighted his ability to compete at both club and international levels. His leadership of the Republic of Ireland national team maintained the country’s reputation in European football, though his tenure was marked by mixed results in major tournament qualifiers.  

### Key Statistics  
- **Arsenal Appearances:** 722 (1975–1993)  
- **International Caps:** 58 (Republic of Ireland, 1976–1994)  
- **Managerial Tenure:** Leeds United (1998–2002), Republic of Ireland (2002–2008)  

### Affiliations  
- **Clubs:** Arsenal F.C., Leeds United  
- **National Team:** Republic of Ireland (player and manager)  
- **Leagues:** English First Division/Premier League, UEFA competitions  

### Post-Football  
Since stepping down as Ireland manager in 2008, O'Leary has remained a respected figure in football, though he has not pursued further high-profile managerial roles. His legacy is defined by his dual contributions as a player and manager, particularly his enduring association with Arsenal and Irish football.

## References

1. Soccerbase
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Transfermarkt
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Source](https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/clubs/players/7577/)