Wilko questions Wise move

Managers' chief says Newcastle structure was 'recipe for disaster'

Last updated: 5th September 2008

Wilko questions Wise move

Wise: Appointed after Keegan's arrival

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Newcastle's decision to bring in Dennis Wise as an executive director above Kevin Keegan was a "recipe for disaster", according to League Managers' Association chairman Howard Wilkinson.

Keegan has quit St James' Park for the second time in his career citing interference from within the club, particularly having players he did not want foisted upon him, as the deciding factor.

Wilkinson believes Keegan's reign at the club was doomed to failure the moment Wise was subsequently appointed after the manager's arrival in mid-January.

"If you are going to work in a football club then the most prominent person in that club - certainly as far as the public is concerned and you could argue as far as anyone is concerned - is the man called the manager or the guy who is responsible for the first team," he told Sky Sports News.

"So to create a position which is going to result in friction through lack of communication, through a failure to communicate what the role is etc, seems to be a recipe for disaster.

"Particularly if you bring someone into that position between manager and board after you have appointed a manager."