Ex-QPR CEO Mark Devlin Discusses Developments at Swindon

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Swindon Advertiser October 23 Mark Devlin - Paying the price

EXCLUSIVE: A “GUTTED” Mark Devlin believes County Ground boardroom politics have played a role in persuading Dennis Wise his managerial future lies elsewhere.
With Wise, agreeing a deal as Leeds United boss late last night, Devlin believes recent issues off the pitch almost definitely had an unsettling influence on the former England midfielder.
The Town chief-executive also revealed Wise and Poyet insisted a release clause was written into their contract in the summer, allowing them to talk to interested Premiership and Championship clubs.
The duo triggered the clause yesterday, after five weeks of speculation, and as talks concluded last night, Wise became Town’s shortest-ever serving manager.
Swindon had offered the pair improved terms to remain in Swindon but after a compensation fee was agreed late yesterday, somewhere in the region of a season’s salary, the Wise revolution has been brought to an abrupt end.
What started out as a dream new chapter at the County Ground, with the arrival of Poyet and Wise, has slowly turned into a nightmare as off-field problems cast shadows over the success on the pitch.
A boardroom rift has been followed by the departure of major investor Bill Power and major shareholders the Wills’ family threatening to pull the plug.
<strong>Speaking from his hospital bed after August’s plane crash Devlin, who earlier this month was given a vote of no-confidence from his fellow board members, admits the saga would not have helped in trying to secure Wise’s future.
He said: “I am sure it might have played a part in his decision. Only Dennis Wise himself will be able to tell you the real reasons though.
“I don’t suppose it helps though. All the problems behind the scenes may not affect the team but I am sure it affects the manager. It will be massively disappointing for us all because he has had such a massive impact on the club this season.”
Town fans are already questionning the decision to allow Wise and Poyet a release clause in their contracts but Devlin reveals it was a necessary evil.
He said: “They were both very keen to put that clause in, which don’t get me wrong was totally understandable on their part. From the club’s point of view it was a risk we had to take. There was no point in appointing someone we hoped would just achieve mediocrity.
“Obviously I think we all realised if they were succesful here they would eventually move on but we thought they would be around for a year or two at least.”
With friend and former Chelsea chairman Ken Bates at Elland Road, Wise has been a front-runner for the Elland Road job for the past five weeks.
A run of abysmal results have finally forced Bates’ hand and Devlin admits the possibility has always been at the back of everyone’s minds.
“He has a good working relationship with Ken Bates,” said Devlin. “It is something I think everyone was fearing.
“There was always a chance it was going to happen and now it looks like our worst fears are coming true.
“It is a great shame seeing him go. He has changed so many things here, in my opinion the team is now far more professional and he will leave a great legacy behind.
“Personally I have really enjoyed working with the two. They were very good to us when we were in hospital and I wish them both the best.
“You can’t blame them. Everyone has their ambitions and Leeds United are a massive club.”
With Town fans already speculating who could be Wise’s successor, Devlin admits he is not the man to talk to.
He said: “Obviously being in hospital I am out of it all at the moment. You will have to talk to someone else at the club.”
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