Pardew in hot seat at West Brom
WEST Bromwich Albion yesterday appointed Alan Pardew as their new manager following the sacking of Tony Pulis as the Chinese-owned club seek to pull away from the Premier League danger zone.
The former West Ham, Newcastle and Crystal Palace boss has agreed a twoand-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 topflight this season.
Pardew, who took Crystal Palace to the 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.”
The 56-year-old, who is adding his former assistant at Newcastle, John Carver, to his backroom staff at The Hawthorns, had widely been expected to be named Albion’s new manager and he takes over with the club winless in their past 13 games in all competitions.
The Baggies threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Newcastle on Tuesday, although
Chairman John Williams said Albion’s board had reached a unanimous decision to appoint Pardew following a thorough recruitment process.
“Alan brings the experience of more than 300 Premier League games and the kind of dynamic leadership from which our club can benefit,” he said.
“We were impressed with what he had to say and what he has to offer and we are looking forward to an exciting new era under his charge.”
Pardew, the Premier League manager of the year in 2012, has a history of explosive touchline bustups.
In 2014, when Newcastle boss, he was fined and given a formal warning for headbutting an opposition player and he had a furious row with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger during his time at West Ham.
Pulis was sacked after a miserable run of form even though he boasted a proud record of never having been relegated as a manager.
The club finished 14th in 2015-16 and came 10th last season, but failed to win any of their final nine matches.
West Brom have just two wins from 14 Premier League matches this season and are in 16th place. — AFP Pardew was not in attendance.