Alan Pardew set to be unveiled as boss
Dec 9 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal
ALAN Pardew will be unveiled as Newcastle United's manager at St James's Park today as supporters try to come to terms with another shock decision.
Pardew will become Mike Ashley’s fifth managerial appointment in just three and a half years when he puts pen to paper on a five and a half year contract on Tyneside, and will immediately have to battle against public antipathy.
The former West Ham and Charlton boss – who arrived in the region last night – has been out of work since he was sacked by Southampton in August and is not the big-name, proven top-flight manager fans anticipated after the surprise dismissal of Chris Hughton on Monday.
That has not put owner Mike Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias off making a rapid appointment and it seems, given that talks opened with him in the early hours of Tuesday morning on the telephone, that he was the only candidate.
The Journal understands Pardew will quickly announce Ray Lewington – who is currently youth development manager at Fulham – as assistant manager, although Peter Beardsley is another candidate.
The 49-year-old is also keen to add Charlton goalkeeping coach Andy Woodman to his management team.
A brief flurry of betting on Jurgen Klinsman to become the new manager yesterday appears to have been a Red Herring sparked by betting websites.
The appointment has not gone down well with rank and file supporters – odds on Newcastle being relegated tumbled from 9-1 yesterday morning to 7-2 last night as news of Pardew’s arrival began to spread – but the former Crystal Palace midfielder has received some backing from former Newcastle goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.
