Sunday, December 25, 2005
Southampton Chairman re Dennis Wise
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Southampton Official Site -
Saints dismiss Wise words By Graham Hiley
Saints have hit back at the bitter comments by Dennis Wise after he failed to land the manager's job. Wise was interviewed for the post but was pipped by George Burley and has now gone into print hitting out at the club. Wise and Dave Bassett took temporary charge of the team following the defection of Harry Redknapp and both were keen to take it on full-time.
But chairman Rupert Lowe has stressed that Wise was never given any indication the job was his. He said: "I don't usually respond to comments in the media but I feel it is necessary to clarify the situation for our supporters, especially as the club were not consulted for a response to this article. "Dennis has not behaved well and the fact he has taken it with bad grace shows we made the right decision. "Dennis was given a proper interview with Guy Askham and me along with several other candidates. "The board had to make sure we were happy with his coaching and leadership credentials and compare him with the other options. "We always made it clear he was not guaranteed the job and I asked him if he would be prepared to carry on as a player if he did not get it. "He said he would be happy to continue playing as long as the new manager wanted him so no way was he misled. "He indicated he wanted a decision before the run of Christmas games so that forced the timetable. "Dennis and Dave Bassett were a very strong option but the board were unanimous in deciding George Burley was better qualified. "He had a more complete CV and what really attracted us was his record of working with young players. We have plenty of good ones coming through and it is essential to bring them on. "Dennis was a very real alternative and personally I am disappointed he has come out and said what he has done in the media. It smacks of sour grapes. "He said he was assured the job was his but that is simply not true. The board looked at all the options and went for the one we felt had the best chance of winning promotion in the next 18 months which is absolutely vital. "We are very happy with the structure we now have in place to bring on the youngsters and drive the first-team up the table. "Everyone is signed up to that and it is vital we have everyone pulling in the same direction."
http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/article.asp?article=347935&Title=Not+a+Wise+move
Southampton Official Site -
Saints dismiss Wise words By Graham Hiley
Saints have hit back at the bitter comments by Dennis Wise after he failed to land the manager's job. Wise was interviewed for the post but was pipped by George Burley and has now gone into print hitting out at the club. Wise and Dave Bassett took temporary charge of the team following the defection of Harry Redknapp and both were keen to take it on full-time.
But chairman Rupert Lowe has stressed that Wise was never given any indication the job was his. He said: "I don't usually respond to comments in the media but I feel it is necessary to clarify the situation for our supporters, especially as the club were not consulted for a response to this article. "Dennis has not behaved well and the fact he has taken it with bad grace shows we made the right decision. "Dennis was given a proper interview with Guy Askham and me along with several other candidates. "The board had to make sure we were happy with his coaching and leadership credentials and compare him with the other options. "We always made it clear he was not guaranteed the job and I asked him if he would be prepared to carry on as a player if he did not get it. "He said he would be happy to continue playing as long as the new manager wanted him so no way was he misled. "He indicated he wanted a decision before the run of Christmas games so that forced the timetable. "Dennis and Dave Bassett were a very strong option but the board were unanimous in deciding George Burley was better qualified. "He had a more complete CV and what really attracted us was his record of working with young players. We have plenty of good ones coming through and it is essential to bring them on. "Dennis was a very real alternative and personally I am disappointed he has come out and said what he has done in the media. It smacks of sour grapes. "He said he was assured the job was his but that is simply not true. The board looked at all the options and went for the one we felt had the best chance of winning promotion in the next 18 months which is absolutely vital. "We are very happy with the structure we now have in place to bring on the youngsters and drive the first-team up the table. "Everyone is signed up to that and it is vital we have everyone pulling in the same direction."
http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/article.asp?article=347935&Title=Not+a+Wise+move
