Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / NEWCASTLE UNITED
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | Formula 1 | Olympics | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorsport | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Internationals | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

Friday, 1 February 2008, 19:57 GMT

Wise explains role at Newcastle

Kevin Keegan and Dennis Wise Newcastle executive director Dennis Wise has insisted that manager Kevin Keegan has the "final word" on all football matters at the club.

Wise left his role as Leeds boss earlier this week to take up his position with the Premier League club.

"I'm here to help Kevin, bringing young players through and also recommend certain players to him," said Wise.

"He'll say yes and no, he has the final word, no-one else. Everything that happens will be run past him."

Wise, who has previously managed Millwall and Swindon, added: "I'm not going to bring players in behind his back - I'm not into that.

"A lot of people have got mixed up with the reason why I am here. I'm not here to be involved in the first team, I'm not here to manage.

"I have to concentrate more on the academy, we need some young blood coming through of our own. We need to look abroad for players and that's my intention over the next few years."

606: DEBATE
"If they want to drive Keegan away - then they are doing everything right"
No1ToonArmy

Keegan has insisted that the appointment of Wise was made with his blessing and that he believes the new structure will be successful.

He said: "I am all for the changes and I approve of them. They want someone on the board who understands football, and Dennis understands football very well.

"It will work very well. Dennis reports to me - the chain is established.

"The club has become slightly fragmented. From my point of view, it's a positive thing - provided I get all the help I need.

"I know Dennis. I know he's intelligent. I know his job here is to help me. He's on my side"
Kevin Keegan

"I know what Dennis is going to do, and the idea in principle is good - to look for new players, to bring youngsters through and do things which our academy isn't doing so much at the moment."

Keegan also revealed he was involved in the appointment after speaking to owner Mike Ashley before he returned as manager.

"I knew about it. It's not a surprise to me, it might be to other people," Keegan told BBC Radio 5 live.

"Two or three names were given to me when I first sat down and talked about the job with the owner. One of them was Dennis.

"I know Dennis. I know he's intelligent. I know his job here is to help me. He's on my side.

"How can any manager be against someone who is going to come to the club to try to bring in talent?

"It's right for this football club. A lot of people outside might be shocked about it. I think in the long term it's the right decision. It's something that needs to be done."




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

Wise gets powerful Newcastle role (29 Jan 08 |  Newcastle United )
Shearer assistant role ruled out (25 Jan 08 |  Newcastle United )
Keegan returns as Newcastle boss (16 Jan 08 |  Newcastle United )
The director of football debate (24 Nov 04 |  Football )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Football on the BBC
Newcastle fans' views on 606
BBC Tyne sport
Newcastle weather
BBC Sport Premier League
Newcastle United
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | Formula 1 | Olympics | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorsport | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Internationals | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©