Leeds close in on Wise appointment

Leeds United appeared to be on the verge of bringing Dennis Wise and Gustavo Poyet to Elland Road last night after agreeing financial compensation with Swindon Town for the pair and also parting company with their caretaker manager John Carver.

The Championship club have been granted permission to discuss personal terms with Wise and Poyet aimed at bringing the management duo to the club, while Swindon have appointed David Tuttle as their caretaker manager.

In a statement on Leeds' official website the club said: "Leeds United have agreed financial compensation with Swindon Town and have now been granted permission to discuss personal terms with both Dennis Wise and Gus Poyet with a view to them filling the vacant managerial position at the club." The club added, however, that David Geddis is expected to take charge of tonight's Carling Cup tie against Southend.

A statement from Swindon confirmed: "Swindon have appointed head of youth/scouting director Dave Tuttle as caretaker manager."

Earlier in the day Swindon said negotiations had been broken off after Leeds failed to meet the compensation required to prise the pair from the County Ground, as set out in their contracts, before an agreement was made. At the time the League Two club hinted that a compromise could still be reached and that the deal was not dead.

"While discussions are ongoing between the two clubs, Dennis and Gus remain contracted until the end of June 2009 and are continuing to fulfil their duties; both they and the club are determined to ensure that the progress achieved to date continues.

"Both individuals have been offered significantly improved terms at the club and it is hoped that they will both remain with Swindon for the foreseeable future."

Leeds lost 5-1 at Luton on Saturday, their fourth defeat in five matches after the dismissal of Kevin Blackwell last month, and their chairman Ken Bates now seems to have found his replacement.

Carver was appointed as caretaker manager after Blackwell's dismissal and guided Leeds to victory over Birmingham City before recording four defeats on the trot. The statement from Leeds added: "The club would like to place on record its thanks to John for stepping into the breach as caretaker manager and also for all his hard work over the past 15 months as assistant manager."

After Saturday's defeat it was clear Bates needed to act quickly and he now seems set to team up with Wise once more.

The former midfielder played for Chelsea under Bates' chairmanship before managing Millwall from October 2003 to May 2005, leading them to the 2004 FA Cup final.