The 52-year-old McLeish broke a footballing taboo by crossing the city of Birmingham, resigning from his job with relegated Blues before taking up the post at Villa soon after. The move has been greeted with animosity on both sides of the city, and nobody was more surprised than O'Leary, who was in charge at Villa for three years from 2003. "I just couldn't believe it," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I never thought anybody would cross the city like this. "It's a big, brave step. I hope it goes well because Villa is really a good club. "The three years I was there it was a great derby - I wouldn't say hatred but it was a very intense derby and there was always a feeling that it was very hard for players to cross, and the same manager-wise - very seldom it happens. "The feeling has always been it's something you never do. "With Birmingham going down as well I think the fans feel he owes it to them to bring them back up again and to actually walk out on them and then to cross to Villa has caused, from what I've read and seen, big hostilities in the city." He added: "The big thing Alex will have to do is get a good start. Winning games shuts everybody up and that's what he'll be judged on - and he'll have to do it probably quicker than other managers, who might have a honeymoon period. "The fans are very demanding. They can be very vocal, but it's a very good club." McLeish, meanwhile, insists his previous experiences when in charge of Rangers means he is thick-skinned enough to cope with the switch. McLeish's move has made him public enemy number one with some sections of Blues and Villa fans after his move across the city on a three-year contract. There has even been speculation that McLeish's own safety could be at risk from some supporters. But McLeish coped with the intense Rangers-Celtic rivalry in Glasgow and believes that will stand him in good stead for what lies ahead. He said: "I've got to have thick skin. I managed Rangers. I got it in the neck from those fans up there at times and I came through that and I'll come through this. "That experience doesn't make me absolutely totally used to it. No one can ever get used to it. "But I am thick-skinned, I've had experience of it and that should stand me in good stead. "I won't say it won't ever happen again but I've got to show the fans I can turn it around and hopefully the fans chanting against me coming here, will be chanting my name." McLeish, who discussed the move "at length" with his family, admits he was "a little surprised" by the hostility but hopes it will not get out of hand. He said: "I'm sure a few people wanted to punch me! At the same time, I can understand the passions and emotions of football. "As long as it doesn't get out of control, then I can understand people's feelings. "Have the passion but don't let it go to extremes." McLeish added: "Am I fazed by it? No. Have I had it before? Yes. "Have I come out of it stronger? Yes, so I really look forward to the challenge of managing this fantastic football club."
