Some Newcastle supporters would’ve paid to get Alan Pardew off their manager’s seat, and now Crystal Palace is going to give the Magpies money to hire him away from the Northeast.
Multiple noted gossip outlets are reporting that Palace will pay between $3-4 million to free Pardew from his long-term contract at Newcastle, bringing the Eagles hero back to Selhurst Park as manager. Sky Sports, however, is reporting that the agreement on compensation has been reported in “premature” fashion, but that it’s a “fast-moving” story that will reach its destination in the next 24 hours or so.
[ MORE: Skipped press conference fuels rumors ]
However, most of the discussion seems to center on the compensation end, not whether Pardew is wanted by Palace nor interested in the job. Some in Northeast England have speculated that the “power play” by Pardew could jeopardize his job status even if he doesn’t leave for South London.At the Palace end they’re saying compensation agreed; #nufc end saying not so....
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) December 29, 2014
But - and this is the top and bottom of it - it’s almost inconceivable that he’s going to stay at #nufc now.
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) December 29, 2014
Pardew played at Palace from 1987-1991, scoring 8 goals in 128 matches while earning promotion to the First Division and helping the club to the FA Cup final, where they lost on replay to Manchester United.
To say he’s been a controversial figure on Tyneside is an understatement of high order. Pardew led the club to fifth place in the Premier League only to oversee a relegation campaign while battling in the Europa League. The “chicken or egg” discussion has been whether Pardew or owner Mike Ashley is more responsible for the club’s tumultuous play, but Pardew’s head butt of David Meyler last season and Newcastle’s subsequent miserable finish to last season -- and cruel start to this one -- had fans flying “Pardew Out” banners at St. James Park.
Keep it tuned here.