David O'Leary, one of the more charismatic of the younger breed of football managers, yesterday provided the broadest hint yet that, in the long term, he hopes to take charge of the Republic of Ireland team.

O'Leary, in Dublin to announce a new scheme under which Home Farm will become a feeder club for Leeds United, said he was looking at between eight to 10 years to realise his ambition.

"I was asked to submit an application for the job when Jack Charlton resigned four years ago," he said. "A few weeks later, when the interviews were being held, I got a call asking why I hadn't yet been interviewed. I told them it was because I hadn't applied for the vacancy.

"The bottom line is that for international management you need the experience of 15 years involvement with a club at the highest level. So hopefully by the time I'm 50 somebody will take pity and give me a chance.

"I'd love to manage my country - that would be the proudest moment of my life. I was a young Dublin lad who went over to Arsenal and then went on to play for Ireland. My Ireland debut was made at Wembley, a place where kids dream of playing. Managing Ireland would be another dream come true for me."

O'Leary had just finished his playing career and taken over as assistant to manager George Graham at Elland Road when Charlton's departure caused the FAI to trawl the available talent for a replacement.

At the time, he was thought to be one of several candidates enjoying the support of a section of the FAI's management committee. He soon made it clear, however, that he didn't consider himself nearly experienced enough for the position.

Since then, of course, he has made a spectacular entry to full management at club level, marking his appointment to replace Graham with the introduction of a youth policy which in a relatively short time has re-established Elland Road as one of the focal points of British football.

O'Leary's time frame of another eight years before presenting himself as a fully-qualified candidate for the job may not be overstated. Barring a disaster, Mick McCarthy will stay at the helm for Ireland for the next two years, and, depending on how his squad progresses in the 2002 World Cup, his tenure may be considerably longer.

Even then, however, the Leeds manager could face tough competition for the post. Joe Kinnear was one of the front runners to succeed Charlton until he withdrew his candidature at a late stage of the race. Since then, of course, he has suffered a suspected heart attack and resigned as manager of Wimbledon. Now fully restored to health, he is beginning to express the need for fulfilment once more.

To his name can be added that of John Aldridge. If Aldridge's record of achievement with Tranmere hasn't quite received the acclaim of his compatriot's stewardship at Leeds, he has still fashioned a significant recovery from modest resources at Prenton Park.

The Leeds manager, accompanied on his Irish trip by the club chairman, Peter Ridsdale, and new secretary Ian Silvester, played down his contribution to the upturn in Leeds' fortunes, and instead emphasised the manner in which his younger players have adjusted to the increased pressures of the Premiership.

Home Farm's partnership with Leeds replaces one they had with Everton recently. Now, as then, the objective is to promote the best interests of both clubs and provide additional capital for Home Farm to enhance their reputation as the country's foremost football nursery.

Neither club would put a figure on the money involved, but it is thought Home Farm may benefit to the extent of £250 000 over the five years of the agreement. Additionally, Leeds will provide technical staff to work with the Whitehall club's coaching team, headed by Liam Tuohy.

Welcoming the new alliance, Tuohy said: "Hopefully it will work to Leeds' advantage while helping us to become even stronger.

"Leeds are a progressive club with a reputation for playing good football. They also have a manager who is not afraid to take a chance on young players, and when you put it all together it's a great incentive for everybody at Home Farm."

As part of the new alliance, exchange visits will be arranged between members of the coaching staffs, and Home Farm will wear the Leeds' logo on their team shirts to usher in a new era in the colourful history of the club.

Currently there are no fewer than nine former Home Farm players on the pay roll at Elland Road. Among the emerging Irish players there are Damien Lynch, Stephen Cramer and Alan Martin, a grandson of Con Martin.