I'm not lying (I am) when I write that I've lost countless hours of sleep worrying about whether or not David O'Leary would get the financial compensation which he believed was due to him from his eight months in charge at Dubai club, Al Ahli FC.
O'Leary and Al Ahli parted ways in April 2011 and the two had been in dispute since.
From Guardian.co.uk
Al Ahli FC, who sacked O'Leary after he won just six of his 15 league games in charge, said at the time that he had been dismissed but club officials subsequently claimed the former Arsenal player had abandoned his post. Fifa dismissed the club's claim and also rejected Al Ahli's claim that the world game's governing body had no jurisdiction over the case. The sum of $5.2m represents payment in full of the remaining two years of his contract.
"It has taken a long time to deal with this matter but I am pleased that all issues have now been finalised," said O'Leary in a statement issued through the League Managers Association. "I hope my case provides reassurance to all managers and coaches working all over the world that there is a formal system in place that provides employment protection.
FIFA today awarded O'Leary $5.2 million that's nearly €4 million. Not bad for eight months work
Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
