Alan Pardew named as the new Newcastle United manager
After all the rumors circulating in Newcastle since the sacking of Chris Hughton, Newcastle has finally confirmed the appointment of Englishman Alan Pardew as the new Toon manager.
The former West Ham manager has signed a contract that will keep him at Newcastle for five and a half years. He has also been in charge of Reading, Charlton Athletic and Southampton.
Former manager Chris Hughton was sacked this Monday in a surprising turn of events, after his side drew 1-1 against reigning Barclays Premier League champions Chelsea at St. James’ Park. However the former Tottenham man was shown the door, despite helping
Newcastle win promotion to the English Premier League and then guiding the newly promoted team into 12th place in the table.
Former Tottenham manager, Martin Jol was another candidate constantly being linked with the job after he quit his post as Ajax manager, following Chris Hughtons’ sacking.
Many Newcastle players expressed their surprise and sadness after the news of Hughtons’ sacking spread, as he was a very popular figure in the dressing room and among the Newcastle faithful aswell.
Alan Pardew was a midfielder during his playing days, and played 128 games for Crystal Palace before moving to Charlton Athletic, where he played 104 matches. He was also an FA Cup runner up with Crystal Palace in 1990.
As a manager Alan Pardew had great success with West Ham, and was once again a runner up in the FA Cup, this time as a manager with the Hammers. In 2010 the 49-year-old won his first silverware as a manager, as he led Southampton to the Football League Trophy.
His managerial career has so far been dotted with a lot of controversies that led him to be described as a “dangerous and distant animal” by the BBC in 2003.
His most famous controversy was his dispute with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, when he criticised the Frenchman for fielding a side with no English players, after Arsenal defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League in 2006. Wenger retorted by calling the
Englishman ‘xenophobic’.
Then in February 2007, Pardew made fun of West Ham fans during a training session, shortly before his new club Charlton Athletic were due to face the Hammers. The Sun, published a video of those disparaging comments later on.
It seems that Newcastle have found a manager who might be a controversial figure, but has enough experience as a player and manager to keep Newcastle United in the top division. Hughtons’ sacking though is still a mystery, as he was doing a fine job at the
club.
Before hiring Pardew, Newcastle indicated that they were looking for a manager who has experience at the top level, and someone who could take the club forward. But looking at Alan Pardew’s CV, one wonders, whether he is the right man for the job?
Pardew's first test as manager comes this weekend when Newcastle play Liverpool at St. James' Park.
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