West Brom appoint Pardew, Big Sam joins Everton

LONDON: West Bromwich Albion appointed Alan Pardew as their new manager following the sacking of Tony Pulis as the Chinese-owned club seek to pull away from the English Premier League danger zone.

The former West Ham, Newcastle and Crystal Palace boss has agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract at the club, languishing just two points above the relegation places.

The West Midlands club sacked Pulis last week after they went 10 Premier League games without a win – the fifth managerial casualty in the English top flight this season.

Pardew, who took Palace to the English FA Cup final in May 2016, has not managed since being sacked by the Selhurst Park club just seven months later.

“I’m thrilled with the opportunity Albion have provided and looking forward to getting to work with what I consider to be a talented group of players,” Pardew told the club’s official website.

“The immediate challenge will be to get the results we need to pull ourselves up the table.

“But I’m aware that while I’m joining one of the great, traditional clubs of English football, it is one determined to go forward in the Premier League.”

“It’s an exciting opportunity to play a part in that ambition.”

In another development, former England boss Sam Allardyce has agreed a deal to become the manager of club Everton, Sky Sports reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

Allardyce, 63, stepped in to rescue struggling Palace from relegation midway through last season but resigned before the start of the current campaign.

He will replace Dutchman Ronald Koeman at Everton.

Everton sacked Koeman last month after a poor start to the season and placed their Under-23 coach David Unsworth in temporary charge but results have not improved and the club are currently one place above the relegation zone.