ALAN Pardew has promised “perfect character” Fabricio Coloccini he will be his captain for the next four years if the Argentina defender signs a new contract.
However, he has reiterated a warning to Danny Simpson that continuing to stall on his contract offer is a “dangerous” tactic.
Simpson and Coloccini have been offered five-year contracts by the Newcastle board but neither is particularly close to signing – despite boss Pardew wanting both matters wrapped up “as soon as possible”.
Coloccini’s excellent form has attracted potential suitors, but the United boss hopes that his captain’s affinity for the club and area will help persuade him to pledge his future to Newcastle.
The defender will pick up the North East Football Writers Award in a star-studded bash at Durham’s Ramside Hall Hotel on Sunday and Pardew believes it is a fully-merited honour for the 29-year-old, who joins a roll of honour that includes North East greats like Alan Shearer and Niall Quinn.
Pardew said of his influential skipper: “I admire him as much as a person as a player and (there are) not many players I would say that about. He’s a really fantastic person and a fantastic captain. He’s the perfect character to be captain of this club and I hope we get his new contract signed.
“If he does, I know he will be here as captain for the next three or four years because he is very influential in the everything I want to do. He represents everything I like. He was the number one choice (to be captain).
“There wasn’t really a number two in the running – he was always going to be the captain unless he suffered an injury.”
Coloccini’s camp are taking their time to weigh up an offer which measures five years – or four with the option of a fifth – but there has been no breakdown in negotiations, just a determination from the defender to get the right contract to secure his future. While Coloccini continues to take a wait and see attitude towards his new deal, Pardew has gone public on his frustrations surrounding Simpson for the second time in a week.
On the eve of the right-back’s return to Old Trafford Pardew has warned that if no deal is brokered soon, there may have to be a parting of the ways.
