Manager Alan Pardew’s Move From Newcastle United Long Overdue
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In the end manager Alan Pardew’s long-overdue move from St. James’ Park to take over the reigns of Premier League rivals Crystal Palace can only be a good thing for Newcastle United and their frustrated supporters.
British media were reporting on Monday that the Magpies boss was on the move to Selhurst Park and the only thing left for the deal to go forward was the amount of Newcastle’s compensation for losing Pardew. Pardew, a former midfielder with the club between 1987 and 1991, is wanted so desperately by Palace that they are willing to shell out up to $5 million in compensation to Newcastle.
News of the yet to be confirmed deal comes as a slight surprise since there have recently been signs that the famed Yorkshire club with high expectations was starting to reverse its miserable fortunes.
But despite this a large number of Newcastle supporters will be glad to see Pardew move on. While signs and banners calling for the out-of-favor manager to be axed have repeatedly been hung at St. James’ Park in recent months, some fans even started a website called ‘Pardew Out’.
The club’s performance has steadily declined since Pardew guided Newcastle to a fifth-place finish in 2011-12 seeing the Magpies gain entry into the UEFA Europa League the following season. After the initial high, the disappointment seemed to worsen steadily since Pardew’s second season in control with Newcaslte only managing a 16th-place finish in 2012-13 and tenth last season. His popularity with fans hit an all-time low late last season when he was banned seven matches and fined $168,000 for headbutting an opposing player, Hull City midfielder David Meyler. That incident should have been enough for the club to quietly issue Pardew his walking papers in the offseason, but somehow he endured the incident.
There had even been some optimism that Pardew would be able to right the ship especially after Sunday’s feisty 3-1 victory over Everton at St. James’ Park. Ironically his final match in charge was bittersweet and all too telling about Pardew’s career at Newcastle.
One of Pardew’s biggest signings, Papiss Cisse, scored a brilliant goal while also learning, in the aftermath of the victory, that he would be charged by the Football Association for a disgusting first-half elbow on opponent Seamus Coleman. Cisse is facing a minimum three-match ban for his cynical holiday season challenge.
Unfortunately, Pardew is moving the frying pan and into the fire as he takes over a badly tail-spinning Crystal Palace side currently in 18th place and flirting with relegation.
Peter Mallett is a blogger for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @RedCardTheRef1 like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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