Wise calls for Leeds to show nasty side

Ken Bates (right) introduces Wise as the new Leeds manager

Dennis Wise intends to make Leeds United "nasty" in an attempt to stop their alarming slide. The new manager, speaking for the first time since taking over at Elland Road, said yesterday that he intended to transform Leeds into the ugly, uncompromising team that once rivalled the top clubs in the country.

Taking over as coach of the team next to last in the Championship, Wise said he believed he knew the way to change things around. "I want them to be a bit like the Leeds of old - horrible," said Wise. "I want a bit of nastiness and togetherness."

Six years after Leeds reached the Champions' League semi-final having finished third in the Premier League, the team is struggling to avoid relegation to League One. The team were also knocked out of the League Cup on Tuesday, losing 3-1 at home to Southend.

"The players understand what they are getting and that is a bit of honesty," Wise said. "I don't pull my punches and I'm not afraid to tell them what's what and what they need to do. The important part is that you know what you want and I know what I want and I have got to put that across to the players."

The former Chelsea and England midfielder has a reputation for falling out with team-mates, opponents and referees and has been frequently banned and fined by the Football Association for indiscipline.

Some Leeds fans have told the media that they do not want him. "I've got that wherever I've been anyway," he said. "I don't think it really matters. I had a successful time at Chelsea as a player and now I'm manager of Leeds United. They're going to have me here and I'm looking forward to it."

Wise, who has the former Uruguay midfielder Gus Poyet as his assistant, says his aim is to get Leeds back to the top flight. But he has no idea when. "I want to get this club in the Premiership. That's my target, at some stage," he said.

He admits he may have to make many changes to the squad and has already changed the captain, with Kevin Nicholls taking over from Paul Butler. "You have got to look at what you've got and whether or not there are players who want to be part of this," he said. "I need to know who wants to stay, who wants to go and who wants to be part of it, and the sooner I find that out, the better it is for us."

Wise watched Leeds lose to Southend but said he was surprised the team was in trouble. "I'm quite bewildered by the position they are in," he said. "There's so much talent here."