Direct control (6)
I believe the answer is:
govern
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'direct' is the first definition.
(thesaurus)
'control' is the second definition.
(to govern is to control or rule over)
(Other definitions for govern that I've seen before include "Run" , "Control, influence" , "'Rule over, control (6)'" , "Manage - control" , "Rule or administer" .)