Newcastle Make Approach for Wise

Newcastle United have approached the Leeds United manager, Dennis Wise, with a view to him taking on a role similar to that of a technical director. The Leeds chairman, Ken Bates, has demanded compensation for Wise, who is keen to take on the £1m-a-year role which would involve overseeing youth development and player scouting rather than coaching the first team.

It is believed the decision to approach Wise was taken by Newcastle's chairman, Chris Mort, rather than manager Kevin Keegan, who is still looking for a No2 after Alan Shearer chose not to return to St James' Park last week.

Wise has guided Leeds to fifth place in League One despite the club starting the season with a 15-point penalty. However, he has grown disenchanted with life at Elland Road since his assistant and good friend, Gus Poyet, left to become Juande Ramos' No2 at Tottenham, and is understood to want a change of pace from the day-to-day grind of football management. Indeed Newcastle will allow him to spend just a few days a week on Tyneside, with the rest in London.

Earlier a Leeds spokesperson refused to be drawn on the approach. "We don't comment on speculation," he said. "We have an important game at South end on Tuesday night and Dennis is preparing his team for that."