CrystalPalace sacked their manager Neil Warnock on the 27th of December,after a run of one win in twelve games; he left the club in the relegationzone. Warnock managed Palace from 2007-2010 and on 27th August2014 was appointed as the Palace manager for the second time. He only spent four months with the club duringthe second spell.
Newcastlemanager Alan Pardew is the bookmaker’s favourite to take Neil Warnock’s placeand make a return to his former club at Selhurst Park, South London. Theother potential candidates that have been heavily linked with the job areformer Palace defender Tony Popovic and the former Spurs boss Tim Sherwood.
Another candidate who is also potentiallytaking over the reins is caretaker coach Keith Millen, who also oversaw the Palace0-0 draw at Loftus Road against QPR, yesterday.
Pardew,53, from west London, has strong links with Palace; he was a former player withthe club from 1987- 1991 and in 1990 reached the FA Cup Final with Palace whenhe scored the winning goal and beat Liverpool 4-3 in extra time in thesemi-finals. They lost in the finals against Manchester United.
When Pardew stopped playing he managed Reading, West Ham,Southampton and Charlton before taking over Newcastle in 2010. He has achieved promotions with Reading andWest Ham. His contract with Newcastle istill 2020.
Pardew led Newcastle to 5th place in the 2011-12season but since has suffered a mixed spell marred with injuries; many St.James’ Park fans were calling for him to be axed earlier in the seasonfollowing a succession of poor results.
Newcastle currently hold 9thplace in the Premier League, although they have not won a trophy since 1969.
Crystal Palace Football club wasfounded in 1905 at the site of the historic Crystal Palace building, whichhosted the Great Exhibition in 1851. The club owners wanted their team to playat this famous venue. The Eagles were promoted to the Premiership in May 2013 butare now 18th in the table, facing a relegation dog-fight.
Palaceare playing away to Aston Villa on New Year’s Day. Will it be a Happy New Year for Palace and Pardew?