Alan Pardew has been sacked as crystal palace manager after two years in charge of the club. Pardew was appointed on a three and a half year contract in January 2015, but today he has been ignominiously dismissed after just one victory in the past eleven games.
Pardew leaves Crystal Palace 17th in the league, having accrued a mere twenty six points from their thirty six Premier League games in 2016. At this early stage, former England manager Sam Allardyce, who was sacked from his previous job for taking a bribe, is the favourite to take over at Selhurst Park.
Early odds for Palace job via one well-known bookie:
— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) 22 December 2016
1/1 Allardyce
7/2 Coleman
5/1 Rowett
8/1 Giggs
12/1 Hughton
14/1 Hodgson
16/1 Rodgers
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish said: "During his tenure, Alan's hard work and dedication were never in question. Alan improved so many areas of the club". In 2015, Palace paid £2,500,000 to Newcastle United to secure Pardew's services. Today, Crystal Palace paid a £5,000,000 severance package to Pardew.
No hard feelings
"Personally, I have a lot of good feelings towards this Football club and I'm sad that my time has ended here.I feel like I have a special bond with the club and I hope that hasn't been affected with my dismissal", said Pardew, who made over 100 appearances for Crystal Palace as a player.
Pardew guided Palace to the final of the FA Cup last year but tasted defeat at the hands of two late Manchester United goals.However, Palace's FA Cup run papered over a poor Premier League campaign. During the 19th December and 9th April, Palace failed to win a game in the Premier League after victories over Chelsea and Liverpool early on in the campaign.Crystal Palace have yet to confirm who will manage the team for their Premier League fixture against Watford on Boxing Day.
Pardew is getting £5m severance pay and doesn't have to work the Christmas break anymore. Pure charisma. He never loses. pic.twitter.com/sXFzBkjBGA
— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) 22 December 2016
In hope of change
"I'm not going to blame anyone. Relegation is so costly and I feel with no blame attached we got ourselves in a rut and we need a change.
We hope a change in management will turn things around for the team. We have a squad that is capable of achieving great things, we just need the right manager to harness their potential. We're talking to a number of people, we need to get this right" said Steve Parish.
