O'Leary was boss at Leeds from October 1998 to June 2002

Leeds beat Burnley to win for the second time in three games, although they are still in the bottom three.

"Their form over the last few games has been good and they've started to win games. That's what they need ," O'Leary told BBC Five Live's Sportsweek.

"There are still plenty of clubs in the mix and it is going to be very tight."

Leeds lost in the play-off final last season under Kevin Blackwell but he was sacked as manager by chairman Ken Bates shortly into the present campaign.

Bates brought in Dennis Wise but he has struggled to instigate the club's rise out of the relegation zone.

"I don't really know Kevin and what went on within the club but it came as a great shock to a lot of people round the city when he was replaced," added O'Leary.

"I never wanted to leave. The fans are fantastic to me here. I hope they stay up because I had great times at the club.