Leeds chairman Ken Bates has revealed he was not prepared to stand in Dennis Wise's way following his decision to join Newcastle.

Bates agreed a compensation package with Newcastle over the weekend to clear the path for Wise to head to St James' Park in an executive management role.

The former Chelsea chairman, godfather to one of Wise's children, told Yorkshire Radio: "He said he was sorry it was such short notice, but it was too good an opportunity to miss.

"In football you never stand in the way of anyone who wants to improve themselves."

Wise's shock decision has stunned Leeds fans and neutral observers alike, with little explanation given to his exact new role in Kevin Keegan's backroom team.

Gary McAllister, Paul Ince and Dave Bassett are among the contenders to succeed Wise while it is understood Micky Adams would be keen to rejoin the club where he spent two years in the late 1980s.

Bates, however, refused to be drawn.

He added: "You only have to look at the frenzy that has taken place at Newcastle since they sacked Sam Allardyce and it's ridiculous.

"We don't have leaks at Leeds United. We don't comment because the more you do the more people put more of a slant on it.

"We'll go about our business the same way as we do with our players. We don't talk about what we're going to do, we do it and then we announce it."

Wise will officially depart Elland Road after he has prepared the side for tonight's Coca-Cola League One clash at Southend.

Leeds have not confirmed whether Wise's assistant Bassett will take charge of the side.

Bates revealed Leeds were first approached by the Newcastle hierarchy on Friday.

He said: "I wasn't too surprised, but we wouldn't allow permission until we had it in writing that they would pay compensation.

"Dennis had a one-year rolling contract and if either party breaks it we have to agree on compensation.

"I thought it only right to advise Dennis. He said he would like to talk to them and I said he could once we had it in writing.

"That duly arrived and I told Dennis first thing (yesterday) morning that he could meet the Newcastle chairman and he said he would like to take the opportunity if he could.

"We've agreed that he will prepare the team for Southend, but it wouldn't be appropriate if he was at the game. He will get them ready for the game and hopefully he will go out on a high.

"Newcastle said they were impressed with what he'd done in a difficult situation at Leeds United. He leaves the club in a much stronger position on very solid foundations."

Wise's departure has sparked a whirlwind of speculation as to who his successor will be, but some fans will view his decision to quit as a big blow to the club's bid to bounce straight back to the Coca-Cola Championship.

Leeds had already lost Wise's former assistant Gus Poyet to Tottenham earlier in the season.

Bates convinced Wise and Poyet they were the right men to lead the fallen Yorkshire giants back to the top flight in October 2006.

The former Chelsea team-mates could not halt Leeds' slide into League One at the end of last season, but made a dream start to the current campaign.

Leeds were hit by a 15-point deduction by the Football League in the summer for breaking competition rules on administration, but won their first five matches and are currently challenging for automatic promotion.

Wise has recently drafted in four new permanent signings at Leeds, who could climb to second place with victory tonight at Southend.

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