EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle prise Wise away from Leeds with lure of an office job

Leeds chairman Ken Bates has expressed his disappointment that Dennis Wise is to leave Elland Road for Newcastle.

• Dennis Wise factfile

Sportsmail understands that the former Chelsea and England midfielder has accepted an office-based position that will allow him to work closer to his family, who have remained in the south-east while Wise has been in Leeds.

It is believed that Wise will not be part Kevin Keegan's coaching staff at St James' Park and that negotiations with chairman Chris Mort have been ongoing for several weeks.

Wise is expected to take up a role at St James' Park similar to the one currently occupied by Frank Arnesen at Chelsea.

Bates, who was Wise's chairman at Chelsea during the 41-year-old's playing days and is a firm family friend, said: "We are sorry Dennis is going but he has been offered a big opportunity at Newcastle and you don't want to stand in anybody's way when they have such a good chance as this. You would be a bad employer if you did.

"His contribution to Leeds has been fantastic. He took the place over on the playing side when it was a mess and he has now got us where we are in the play-off positions having been deducted 15 points. That situation speaks for itself."

Former Elland Road hero Gary McAllister is the early favourite to manage Leeds, who have accepted a compensation package from Newcastle for the services of Wise.

The 41-year-old will depart the Yorkshire club tomorrow after preparing the side for their Coca-Cola League One clash at Southend.

Asked if he could comment on the situation, Keegan 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."

Leeds, who are likely to put former Wimbledon boss Dave Bassett - currently Wise's No 2 - in temporary charge of first-team affairs - released a statement, which read: "We have agreed a compensation package with Newcastle United for the services of our manager Dennis Wise and he will part company with the club on Tuesday January 29 after completing the preparations for our game at Southend United that evening.

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"Newcastle had approached us for permission to speak with Dennis on Friday and since then things have happened very quickly.

"We will always be grateful to Dennis for the way he has turned things around at the club on the playing side and he goes with our best wishes for the future.

"We are not prepared to comment on the inevitable speculation that will now follow about who will replace Dennis. That is not the way we do our business at this club."