Dennis Wise came under fire from Newcastle fans after he was interviewed on Sky Sports today (Wednesday, 3pm).
He put forward another defence of the Newcastle owner, with the club in the midst of takeover talks.
Wise said: “I know Mike Ashley, and he cares for Newcastle, even if fans say he doesn’t.
“He runs them in a structured way. He’s not there to pile hundreds of millions into the club.
“He’ll only sell to someone who’ll take it forward.”
Newcastle fans don’t like Wise at the best of times after his tenure at the club as an executive. He was part of a group dubbed the Cockney Mafia who was seen by fans as undermining Kevin Keegan in his second stint as manager of the club.
This is what they made of his comments on Sky Sports today:
This line about only selling to someone who'll take the club forward is a massive get out clause for Ashley. It's an opinion and that's it. His opinion. An excuse that no one can prove otherwise #nufc
— Dunny (@mdunn1977) June 19, 2019
This is a very fair point. At the end of the day it is just an opinion, a catch-all that could be applied to excuse any failed takeover.
However, Wise hasn’t said a lot that’s controversial. Ashley, as a successful businessman, likely runs the club in a structured way and certainly isn’t there to pile money into the club.
Does he care about it? It’s a valuable asset, so yes, but perhaps not in the way Newcastle fans would like. Does he really want to sell? That’s the £300million question.
Dennis Wise is like when your glands start to swell up, You know hell is coming and you'll be bed bound in 48 hours time. #nufc
— Gianfranco Shola (@GianfrancoShoIa) June 19, 2019
When they start rolling out the odious Dennis Wise (I’m blocked) to defend Ashley you know the worst case is about to play out. #nufc
— acpatto (@AnthPatterson) June 19, 2019
https://twitter.com/dustyrerds/status/1141355940723265537
Dennis Wise on Sky Sports singing Mike Ashley’s praise “He cares about the club”, “He will only sell to someone who will take the club forward”…….sounds like a prelude to this takeover going tits up I’m afraid. Prepare yourselves. #nufc #nufctakeover
— ? of the ? people (@KOTPP11) June 19, 2019
https://twitter.com/DavePunton/status/1141351727729221632
Drawing closer and closer to Rafa's contract deadline and a need to see real takeover progress. In the past 24 hours we have Bishops PR agency appear on Twitter and Dennis Wise defending Ashley on Sky. Feels like we are set for some news….and I don't suppose its good #nufc
— Gianfranco Shola (@GianfrancoShoIa) June 19, 2019
RT IfRafaGoesWeGo "This was Dennis Wise, strangely enough being interviewed on Sky last August.
“Whatever he does, he will constantly get stick".
If anyone is seeing a pattern here just let us know. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/IxW220TzDv"
— NUFCompletely (@CompletelyNuf) June 19, 2019
These fans care less about what Wise is saying but are concerned that his appearance on Sky means that bad news is coming.
One fan posted an interview with Wise defending Ashley from last August and asked, “If anyone is seeing a pattern here just let us know”.
It’s all starting to unravel.. proof of funds?, Rafa taking Chinese offering seriously, Dennis Wise on Sky Sports. Keith Bishop is in full “it’s not Mike Ashley’s fault” mode #nufc #nufctakeover 1/2
— Hollie Taylor (@Geordie_Hollie7) June 19, 2019
Remember what I said the other week. I was told Rafa wouldn’t sign a new deal and the takeover ‘news’ will role well into July with a caretaker manager. Then the takeover will suddenly be dead only a few weeks before the premier league season. #nufc #NUFCTakeover
— Hollie Taylor (@Geordie_Hollie7) June 19, 2019
One Newcastle fan detailed how she thought it would go from here – and it’s not good news.
She thinks the “Takeover ‘news’ will role [sic] well into July with a caretaker manager. Then the takeover will suddenly be dead only a few weeks before the Premier League season.”
For Newcastle fans around the globe, we desperately hope that’s not the case and that Wise’s appearance on Sky has no deeper significance.
However, with the takeover seemingly no closer and manager Rafa Benitez less than two weeks away from being a free agent and no sign of him signing a new contract, these are very nervy times for fans.