Soccer

Alan Pardew is sacked by Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace have parted company with manager Alan Pardew  
Crystal Palace have parted company with manager Alan Pardew   Crystal Palace have parted company with manager Alan Pardew  

CRYSTAL PALACE have sacked manager Alan Pardew after just one win in 11 Premier League matches.

Palace issued a statement on Thursday afternoon confirming they had asked Pardew to "step down as manager of the club". Former Newcastle manager Pardew took the Selhurst Park helm in January 2015, but the Eagles' recent slump has left the club one place and one point off the Premier League relegation zone.

Pardew made more than 100 appearances as a midfielder at Palace between 1987 and 1991 and viewed his managerial role at Selhurst Park as something of a homecoming. Former England boss Sam Allardyce will now be straight into the running for the vacancy, with Palace chairman Steve Parish admitting the Eagles need a replacement "as quickly as possible".

"I would like to put on record our sincere gratitude for the tremendous service Alan has given us, both in his time here as manager and previously as a player," said Parish.

"Following a fantastic second half of 2014/15, the 2015/16 season culminated in only narrowly missing out on winning the FA Cup, as well as securing our Premier League place for a record-breaking fourth time.

"During his tenure, Alan's hard work and dedication were without question, he has improved so many areas of the club and we wish him the very best for the future. With games now coming thick and fast over the holiday period, the club are hoping to put someone in place as quickly as possible, but have nothing to say about a replacement at this time."

Pardew's position at Palace appeared under threat the moment the American consortium led by Josh Harris and David Blitzer completed their takeover deal in December 2015. Parish stayed on as club chairman after the change in ownership, but at a reduced shareholding.

While Parish continued to offer staunch support for Pardew, even into this term, results on the field took a tumble. Pardew was even said to have been one defeat from the sack before pulling a 3-0 home victory over Southampton out of the fire on December 3.

Now though, the 55-year-old former Newcastle and West Ham boss finds himself out of work: "I would just like to take the opportunity to thank everybody at Crystal Palace for their fantastic support," said Pardew in a statement released by the club.

"In particular, a big thanks to the players, who gave me absolutely everything and Steve Parish and his board. Personally, I have a lot of good feelings for this football club and am sad that my time there has ended.

"I feel that I have a special bond with the club and hope that hasn't been affected. I wish everybody associated with the club the best of luck in the future including, of course, the fans, who have been magnificent."

******

Some of the contenders to replace Alan Pardew at Selhurst Park...

Sam Allardyce is regarded as an early favourite to take over at Selhurst Park  
Sam Allardyce is regarded as an early favourite to take over at Selhurst Park   Sam Allardyce is regarded as an early favourite to take over at Selhurst Park  

SAM ALLARDYCE


Allardyce is the early favourite with the bookmakers and is keen to get back into the game after his brief stint as manager of England ended in disgrace in October. He has the credentials and track record to be able to lead Palace away from danger, having performed similar fire-fighting missions at a number of clubs and has never suffered relegation in his career.

ROY HODGSON


Hodgson, who was Allardyce's predecessor in the England job, has been out of work since his England exit in June, but has recently spoken about his desire to return to the game if the right opportunity came along.

He has not managed in club football since 2012, but has experience in the Premier League at Blackburn, Fulham, Liverpool and West Brom.

JURGEN KLINSMANN


The former Germany international is out of work after leaving his role as United States manager last month. His work in charge of the USA will not have gone unnoticed by Palace's new American owners and Klinsmann has a good reputation of coaching and man-management.

His experience of the Premier League is restricted to two playing spells with Tottenham in the 1990s.

CHRIS COLEMAN


A former Palace captain, Coleman represented the Eagles with distinction in a four-year period from 1991-95. His stock as a manager has never been higher after his exploits with Wales at Euro 2016, but a difficult start to the World Cup qualifying campaign might have him interested in a return to club management.

GARY ROWETT


Rowett's reputation may well have been enhanced by the manner of his sacking at Birmingham last week, where he was fired after a win over Ipswich, which left the Blues level on points with the sixth-placed side in the Championship.

He was credited with stabilising the Blues in difficult circumstances and has already said he is keen to get a new job.