Premier League news: Meet Newcastle United’s new manager, Alan Pardew
Newcastle United’s decision on Thursday to appoint Alan Pardew as the new manager of the club has not gone down well with Magpies fans. Mike Ashley, owner of Newcastle United, sacked Chris Hughton in a surprise move last Monday
and faced severe criticism from fans and the squad itself. The crowd at St. James Park, where Newcastle is to play Liverpool on Saturday, is not ready to welcome the new manager with open arms – but a good performance may be able to change the mood.
Pardew is a former English footballer with considerable managerial experience. He is widely known for his achievement of reaching the Football Association Challenge Cup (commonly known as the FA Cup) final twice, first as a player
for Crystal Palace in 1990 and then as manager of West Ham United in 2006.
It has not all been smooth-sailing for Pardew, however. The 49-year-old manager has previously been sacked by three Premier League clubs: West Ham United, Charlton Athletic and Southampton.
Pardew was denied his finest moment when Steven Gerrard of Liverpool scourged his West Ham United by scoring a last-minute equalizer in the 2006 FA Cup final, in which the Reds went through after winning a shootout. Given such
history, Pardew will be relishing the chance to confront Liverpool again and seek payback.
“It's a club that I feel I owe one to, so optimistically I can get a good win,” said Pardew. “They have moved up just recently and we have had a little dip, so it's going to be a tough game.”
Newcastle fans are expected to protest against Chris Hughton’s sacking prior to the match at St. James Park, and it’s quite uncertain what kind of reception Pardew will get. He is nonetheless confident that he will win his detractors
over with some good football.
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