Dennis Wise has insisted that his new role as executive director at Newcastle United will not undermine Kevin Keegan.
Wise, speaking for the first time since his arrival from Leeds United earlier this week, said today he would have no direct involvement with the first team. “A lot of people have got a little mixed up with the reason I’m here and we need to straighten that out quite quickly,” Wise said. “I’m not here to be involved in the first team. I’m not here to manage.
“I’m here to help Kevin as much as possible with bringing young players through and also recommending certain players to him.He’ll say yes or no. He has the final word, no one else. I’m not going to do things like bring players in behind his back, I’m not into that. Everything that happens will be run past him.”
Wise also praised Keegan’s man-management skills, saying: “He treats players like proper men. He’s not a shouter or a bawler, he treats players with respect and that’s why he gets the best out of them.”
Wise added that Newcastle’s youth system was important to the supporters. “Fans want to recognise someone. When you have a home grown player it’s very important to the fans to have that special bonding,” he said.