 DENNIS WISE today threw himself into his new executive role at St James’s Park. The former Leeds United manager has aleady cleared his desk at Elland Road – and he will be at the Emirates Stadium tonight to watch United take on Arsenal in their Premier League showdown. But Wise will stay in the background, allowing Kevin Keegan to get on with another tough assignment. Newcastle are also expected to announce two more appointments, with Tony Jiminez – who happens to be Celestine Babayaro’s agent – joining in as vice-president and Jeff Vetere linking up as European scout. Jiminez has had a long association with Wise and also played a role in luring Juande Ramos to Spurs. United, knocked out of the FA Cup at the Emirates Stadium just three days ago, are back for more in the Premier League. In between those challenges, Keegan yesterday learned former England midfielder Wise is to to join him on Tyneside. Even Keegan was caught out by the speed of it all, saying that he had “just read it in the paper”. And it was the Chronicle that revealed yesterday that Wise was on his way to St James’s Park, a development which reverberated around the whole of football. Keegan was quick to add that he was aware Wise had been offered a role at St James’s Park, but it is clear that it was not his appointment. Asked if he could comment on the situation, he said: “Not really, other than to say that’s a question for Chris Mort, the chairman, to answer when he comes back. “He will be back on Wednesday or Thursday. I am just wanting to concentrate on Arsenal.” The 41-year-old Wise is likely to have overall charge of transfers, youth development and scouting and in my book that makes him a director of football in all but name. But this is a term not liked in football these days, and United will go out of their way to stress that this is not Wise’s title. The unexpected appointment was confirmed via a club statement on Leeds’ website. It read: “We have agreed a compensation package with Newcastle for the services of our manager Dennis Wise – and he will part company with the club on Tuesday, after completing the preparations for our game at Southend that evening. “Newcastle had approached us for permission to speak with Dennis on Friday – and since then things have happened very quickly.” Wise, whose lawyer wife is expecting their third child, drove up from London yesterday with former United striker Joe Allon, who has operated in a role similar to Terry McDermott at Leeds under his former Chelsea colleague. Allon also handed in his notice at Elland Road yesterday. But while Wise’s appointment as “executive manager” has nothing to do with Alan Shearer’s situation, the United legend has been told by Keegan to carry on with his TV work and turn up at the training ground whenever it suits him. | 
Article
