Saturday 3 January 2015 18:55, UK
Crystal Palace have confirmed the appointment of Alan Pardew as their new manager on a three-and-a-half year contract.
The former Newcastle manager attended Palace’s 0-0 draw at Aston Villa on New Year’s Day and was at their training ground on Friday as he prepared to succeed Neil Warnock, who was dismissed just after Christmas.
Palace dropped into the bottom three over Christmas, but Pardew is confident that there is enough ability and depth in the Selhurst Park ranks to secure the club's Premier League survival.
He told the Palace website: "I am absolutely delighted to be the new manager of Crystal Palace. Everyone knows my history here, what's important now is to move the club to the next level. I believe with the backing of Steve and the board I can help achieve that and create some new exciting history for the club.
"It's been a while since I played here but it's somewhere I know well and it's close to my heart. It was difficult because I'm leaving a big club in Newcastle (but) really and truly, my home is in this area and for me it's what you would class, as close as you can as a manager, as your own club.
"It's a little bit sticky at the moment and we need to find a way out of that. The players have got great attitudes here, I've been very impressed. Can I help change that energy into more tangible results That might take a transfer, it might take a change of style a little bit, and that's what hopefully a manager of my experience can do."
Pardew's departure signals the end of an eventful spell on Tyneside during which he guided Newcastle to a fifth-placed finish Premier League and the quarter-finals of the Europa League, but also came in for concerted criticism from some supporters, notably earlier this season.
Everyone knows my history here, what's important now is to move the club to the next level
He said: "It has been a privilege to manage Newcastle United and I want to thank my captain Fabricio Coloccini and all the players, John Carver, Steve Stone, Andy Woodman and all the staff, all of whom have been outstanding servants to Newcastle United.
"A special thanks also goes to the fans for all their support over the last four years. I must also thank Mike Ashley and the board for their unwavering support during my tenure at the club."
Newcastle Managing Director Lee Charnley added: "I would like to thank Alan for his service to the club. Despite public perceptions, fuelled by the media, Mike Ashley had never met nor spoken to Alan before his appointment. However what developed over the last four years was a very strong and positive relationship between all parties."
Pardew made 128 appearences for Palace between 1987 and 1991, winning promotion in 1989 and famously scoring in the epic 4-3 FA Cup semi-final win over Liverpool in 1990.
In his management career Pardew led Reading and West Ham United to promotion, before taking over at St James' Park in 2010. He will take charge of the Palace team for Sunday's FA Cup tie at Dover Athletic.
Palace chairman Steve Parish said: "We wanted a manager with a great track record and proven experience in the Barclays Premier League. In Alan we have both these things as well as a man who has great affection for this club and shares my determination to take us to the next level."
