Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan says he has no problem with the arrival of Dennis Wise on Tyneside – but maintains he is the boss of the club.
Wise has agreed to take up the role of executive director at St James' Park but Keegan insists the former Leeds boss will have no day-to-day involvement with the playing squad.
Keegan, whose side have yet to find the net in his first three games following his much-heralded return to Newcastle, said: "I am all for the changes and I approve of them. They (the directors) want someone on the board who understands football. I think it will work very well. He reports to me – the chain is established.
"My concentration is on the first team and getting things right. The club has become slightly fragmented. From my point of view, its a positive thing – provided I get all the help I need.
"I had a chat with Dennis and I knew he was in the frame for the job. That was in place before I joined the club and it would have happened regardless. I know what Dennis is going to do and the idea in principle is good – to look for new players, to bring youngsters through and do things which our academy isnt doing so much at the moment."
Meanwhile, Gary McAllister will be the man to replace Wise at Elland Road under the instruction of winning promotion.
The former Coventry manager, who enjoyed a successful six-year spell at the club as a player, has been out of work since 2004, when he left his post to look after his terminally ill wife, Denise.
McAllister said: "When I was first approached on Sunday I couldn't quite believe it. There was no hesitation. It's very exciting times and it's a great honour. I'm looking forward to seeing the players on Wednesday.
"I played my best football at Leeds. I've got nothing but good memories, fantastic times. I know I left at a bad time, but I never forgot the response from the fans when I came back.
"Elland Road can be such a daunting place to play and that's what we have to do – make it a fortress. We're going to have some fun until the end of the season. They are moving forward. Leeds are a winning side. I'm joining a winning club and the job brief is promotion."
Fabio Capello is improving his English all the time according to FA director of football Sir Trevor Brooking. The new England coach promised his grasp of the language would be much better within a month so he is able to talk to the players when it counts.
Brooking said: "He's a little bit more cautious talking in front of a group but it's improving all the time. I'm sure once you get into the competitive games it's not going to be an issue. He speaks three languages anyway and is picking it up very quickly. Certainly he is picking up the English quicker than I am the Italian. I don't think it will be an issue for the players."
Brooking also revealed the FA are trying to push through a rule whereby only team captains can talk to referees in a bid to improve player behaviour.
He added: "We are all conscious of the overall image of the game and we know that player behaviour at the highest level can be transferred to the grass-roots, particularly with youngsters.
"We are trying out this pilot project until the summer and it would be ideal if it could be incorporated right across the board. Many managers would welcome it because it could help eliminate some of those unnecessary bookings."
Finally, Derby boss Paul Jewell insists he will bring pride back to the Pride Park even though his team are in danger of becoming the worst side in Premier League history – having accumulated just seven points from their first 23 games.
"After 14 games we had six points and it was almost going to be a miracle to stay in the Premier League. If my remit had been we have to stay up or I will lose my job I would not have come," said Jewell.
"I see the long-term plan as an exciting one. I am trying to make Derby County a Premier League force to be reckoned with in future years. I believe that is possible, given the right time and backing. I am ambitious and dont want to be in the Championship or at the bottom of the Premier League," added Jewell who has rejected a £1.5m offer from Newcastle for Giles Barnes, insisting: "Why should we sell him on the cheap?"
