from yesterday's Guardian http://tinyurl.com/ywj3z2
Keegan nonplussed as Wise joins Magpies Louise Taylor Tuesday January 29, 2008 The Guardian The strength of Kevin Keegan's relationship with Newcastle United's board faces its first potential test today when Dennis Wise's appointment as a "super executive" at the club will be confirmed. Wise last night exchanged his tracksuit and life as manager of Leeds United for a suit and a new role stalking the corridors of St James' Park. The former Chelsea and England midfielder resigned from his job at Elland Road yesterday and will be formally announced as a modern-day version of what once would have been termed Newcastle's "general manager" this morning. Although the 41-year-old will have no direct involvement with Keegan's first team squad - "that's Kevin's kingdom", a senior club source confirmed last night - Wise can expect to be in overall charge of transfers, youth development and scouting. It is understood he will earn £1.5m a year, tripling his salary, and Newcastle have promised to make two more appointments at executive level. Fears that the recently appointed Keegan - who appeared a little non- plussed by the impending arrival and refused to answer questions on the subject yesterday - may be unhappy with Wise's role were dismissed by Newcastle officials, who insist that all appointments will be made to support the manager's efforts, but the long-term ramifications remain uncertain. The theory behind Wise's recruitment is that the owner, Mike Ashley, and his chairman, Chris Mort - possibly influenced by their friend Paul Kemsley, a former director of Tottenham Hotspur - aim to create a new, continental-style management tier, such as that employed at Spurs. Moreover Mort, a corporate city lawyer by profession, lacks experience in, and knowledge of, football and it is hoped Wise will guide him through the nuances of the transfer market while also helping compensate for the loss of Russell Cushing, the long-serving chief operating officer, who left Newcastle earlier this season. While he will spend part of a typical week in Newcastle, Wise may also frequently work from London. As Leeds manager he has commuted from the south-east and it is believed the strain of doing so almost prompted his resignation a month ago. It appears that the Leeds manager's potential career change was aired when Keegan met Ashley and Mort to discuss succeeding Sam Allardyce two weeks ago but the test of the relationship will come next summer when it emerges how big a say Wise has in transfer policy. Wise and Newcastle have apparently been brought together by Tony Jimenez, a property developer and friend of both Ashley and Kemsley, who is developing a relationship as a facilitator of deals and was involved in Juande Ramos's managerial move from Sevilla to Spurs. Having led Leeds, who began the season with a 15-point deduction for financial irregularities, into contention for promotion from League One, Wise's defection appears bizarre at first glance. However, his 15-month reign at Elland Road has been scarred by several fall-outs with players, initial abuse from supporters and relegation from the Championship last season. Wise has apparently become increasingly disillusioned with front-line management and was further disheartened when Gus Poyet, his close friend and former assistant, departed to become Ramos's No2 at White Hart Lane earlier this season. Wise's wife, a lawyer, who will shortly give birth to their third child, is thought to have advised him that there is life beyond the technical area. Last night a club statement from Leeds confirmed that the club had finalised a compensation package with Newcastle. "We will always be grateful to Dennis for the way he has turned things round at the club on the playing side and he goes with our best wishes for the future," it read. "Newcastle approached us for permission to speak to Dennis on Friday and since then things have happened very quickly." Dave Bassett has been apppointed caretaker manager at Elland Road. _______________________________________________ the Leeds List is an unmoderated mailing list and the list administrators accept no liability for the personal views and opinions of contributors. Leedslist mailing list [email protected] http://list.zetnet.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist DELETE THE FOOTERS WHEN REPLYING YOU LAZY SODS!!!! DELETE THE FOOTERS WHEN REPLYING YOU LAZY SODS!!!!
