David O'Leary today promised to learn from his past mistakes after succeeding Graham Taylor as manager of Aston Villa.
O'Leary, who has signed a three-year contract at Villa Park, is excited by the challenge of getting Villa "back into the top six where they belong".
That is where he left Leeds before his sacking in June 2002, although fifth in the Premiership fell short of the requisite qualification for the Champions League for the second season running.
Leeds suggested that was the reason behind O'Leary's dismissal, but his controversial book 'Leeds United On Trial', and equally controversial newspaper columns cannot have helped his cause either.
Acknowledging as much, O'Leary admitted: "It was a tough job at Leeds and I have learned a great deal.
"Yes, I made mistakes and I've learned from them.
"The biggest one is that I became too opinionated in newspapers and you won't have that from David O'Leary again."
O'Leary had led the Yorkshire club to a Champions League semi-final against Valencia, and hopes to bring the good times back to Villa Park.
Villa ironically finished 16th in the Premiership, one place and two points behind Leeds, but O'Leary added: "I can't wait to get started.
"There's a wonderful stadium and I want to get the crowd buzzing. Hopefully, I'll put out a good team for them. I'll try to make them proud.
"I could have come back earlier but this is the type of job I have been waiting for.
"Other offers I've had didn't feel right but this one is right and I am delighted Mr Ellis has given me this opportunity. I wanted to go to a club where I believed I could do things.
"Over the next couple of seasons the aim is to get them back into the top six where they belong.
Taylor resigned last Wednesday and the speed with which Villa have replaced him will have taken many people by surprise.
O'Leary was one of a number of names who had been linked with the vacant post, the others including George Burley, Alan Curbishley, Micky Adams and David Platt.