Lowe hits back at Wise

Dennis Wise’s Southampton career looks all but over after chairman Rupert Lowe engaged in a bitter war of words with the midfielder.

Wise is reported to have stormed out of the club yesterday after the decision to appoint George Burley as the club’s new head coach.

The former Millwall player-manager was hopeful of securing the job as Harry Redknapp’s successor at St Mary’s along with Dave Bassett.

But, having failed to do so, he incurred the wrath of Lowe by publicly criticising the Saints chairman.

Lowe subsequently accused Wise of “bad grace” and “sour grapes” and insisted the 39-year-old’s outburst justified his decision not to appoint him as manager.

Reports today claimed Wise has left the club and had the remaining six months of his contract paid up but Saints have yet to confirm this.

Lowe, who stressed Wise had never been given any indication he would be appointed as Redknapp’s successor, told the club’s official website, www.saintsfc.co.uk: “I don’t usually respond to comments in the media but I feel it is necessary to clarify the situation for our supporters, especially as the club were not consulted for a response to this article.

“Dennis has not behaved well and the fact he has taken it with bad grace shows we made the right decision.

“Dennis was given a proper interview with Guy Askham and me along with several other candidates.

“The board had to make sure we were happy with his coaching and leadership credentials and compare him with the other options.

“We always made it clear he was not guaranteed the job and I asked him if he would be prepared to carry on as a player if he did not get it.

“He said he would be happy to continue playing as long as the new manager wanted him so no way was he misled.

“Dennis was a very real alternative and personally I am disappointed he has come out and said what he has done in the media.

“It smacks of sour grapes. He said he was assured the job was his but that is simply not true.

“The board looked at all the options and went for the one we felt had the best chance of winning promotion in the next 18 months which is absolutely vital.”