http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/sport/2006/10/24/sfnlee24.xml
Leeds chairman Ken Bates has found himself at odds with many fans in his desire to install Dennis Wise as manager, but last night that plan was well advanced after Swindon Town gave their permission for the Championship club to speak to Wise and his assistant, Gustavo Poyet. A day of wrangling ended in Swindon securing the guarantee of compensation they had been looking for from Leeds should Wise and Poyet decide to move. Both men signed a three-year contract at the County Ground in May, allowing them to listen to offers from the Premiership and Championship and ensuring that the club would receive a package worth a year's salary for each from a successful approach. Bates' hand has been forced by a horrendous month for Leeds, who have conceded 15 goals in four straight defeats and lie second from bottom in the Championship. Wise, his former captain at Chelsea, has been a prominent target ever since Kevin Blackwell was sacked as manager last month, but hardly to the pleasure of supporters. Ray Fell, chairman of the Leeds United Supporters Club, suggested that Wise's often hostile conduct as a Chelsea player served to alienate him. "There is a history, in how Wise behaved in matches against Leeds," he said. "Speaking to many fans, it seems that he is the very last choice to be manager. We wanted a figure such as Gary McAllister — somebody who at least had a genuine personal connection with the club." advertisement Despite such opposition, the door is now fully open for Leeds to press on in their pursuit of Wise. Swindon, who have offered their manager a "significantly improved" contract plus a share-option package, held talks throughout yesterday to thrash out an acceptable compromise. The feeling in Leeds is that the momentum towards Wise's appointment has become irresistible in recent weeks. The slump that began under Blackwell has turned into a nosedive under caretaker manager John Carver — as exemplified by Saturday's 5-1 defeat away to Luton — and Bates is likely to perceive Wise, with his raw if unchecked passion, as the right man to revive confidence. "I think it is inevitable now," Fell said. "The Chelsea link makes Wise the favourite, and though he won't be popular, he could turn things around. He has the motivation, but he will have to win the fans over fast." If Wise does move, it would herald an unexpected reunion with Bates, under whom he played for 11 years at Chelsea, winning two FA Cups. The pair formed a close friendship, and Bates is godfather to Wise's son. Their relationship put Wise repeatedly in the frame for the Leeds job, even during Blackwell's turbulent reign, and with the club now reeling, he has never been better placed to see off other contenders such as Luton's Mike Newell or former Charlton manager Alan Curbishley. Carver acknowledged that his own chances of securing the job permanently had gone after his team went down 4-0 to Stoke 10 days ago. Swindon initially agreed yesterday that Wise and Poyet, who played together at Chelsea before teaming up in management, could speak to Leeds, but scrapped that idea once the compensation wrangle became "impossible" to resolve. The club had claimed that the duo would remain in Wiltshire "for the forseeable future", adding: "Dennis and Gus remain contracted until the end of June 2009. Both they and the club are determined to ensure that the progress achieved to date continues." But the stand-off was brought to an end last night by Leeds' announcement that compensation had been agreed. Beyond his connection with Bates, Wise has some impressive managerial credentials. At Swindon his impact has been immediate, taking the club to third in League Two after their relegation last season, while at Millwall he and his players enjoyed a memorable FA Cup run, reaching the final in 2004. Boardroom machinations forced Wise out of Millwall last year, but he resurfaced at Swindon in May with the support of his friends, Poyet and also Paul Ince, who lasted just three games before his unveiling yesterday as manager of Macclesfield. Bates, however, appears to recognise qualities in Wise that would play more effectively in a higher division, and the journey of this mercurial and sometimes maddening character could be about to come full circle. Elland Road: the last six to go George Graham (1996-98) The former Arsenal manager spent two years at Elland Road before Tottenham offered him the chance to return to London. Leeds finished fifth in 1997-98 and qualified for the Uefa Cup. David O'Leary (1998-02) O'Leary was Graham's No 2 before getting the top job and spending almost £100 million on strengthening the side. He guided Leeds to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2001 but caused offence when he released his book Leeds United on Trial. Terry Venables (2002-03) Venables signed a two-year contract at Leeds but survived for just eight months. In that time he was forced to sell Rio Ferdinand to Manchester United for £30 million and Robbie Keane to Spurs for £7 million. Peter Reid (2003) Reid kept Leeds up with a 3-2 win at Arsenal that ended their hopes of winning the title, but that was as good as it got. With no money to spend he had to rely on loan signings. He had just 22 games in charge. Eddie Gray (2003-04) Gray had been manager from 1982-85 but returned in a caretaker role to try and save them from the drop. His 27 games yielded just six wins, two clean sheets and relegation. Kevin Blackwell (2004-06) Leeds seemed set for a fairytale return to the Premiership when they reached the play-off final against Watford. They were thrashed 3-0 and never recovered. Leeds beat Barnet 3-1 in the Carling Cup in his last game in charge. _______________________________________________ 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 oh alright then :-)
