According to Goal.com’s Graeme Bailey and other reports, Newcastle United is preparing to end Alan Pardew’s roller coaster ride at the managerial helm.
After four years in control at St. James Park, a 4-0 defeat to Southampton this weekend could be the straw that breaks Mike Ashley’s back.
The reports also say Hull manager Steve Bruce is the man Newcastle wish to replace Pardew with. Ironically, Hull City travels to St. James Park this coming weekend to face Newcastle in the Premier League.
Pardew came under heavy criticism after the drubbing by a bright Southampton side, with fans holding a banner reading “Pardew is a muppet” and chanting “We want Pardew out” during and following the defeat.
The 53-year-old refused to speak with the media following the match.
Pardew joined Newcastle in 2010, replacing Chris Hughton. He reached a high-water mark in 2012 when he won Manager of the Year in the Premier League and earned himself a controversial and groundbreaking 10-year contract extension as a result. He is currently the second-longest tenured manager in the Premier League behind Arsene Wenger
Newcastle currently sit bottom of the Premier League table with two points and no wins on the young season, while the club has just four Premier League wins in the 2014 calendar year altogether.
Bruce was frustrated when asked about links to Newcastle, telling BBC Radio, “I find it very disrespectful that I am linked with somebody else’s job when he is still in the job,” the Hull manager said. “I am just concentrating on our game against West Ham on Monday.”
However, according to the Daily Mirror‘s Alan Oliver, Bruce was a candidate 12 years ago to replace the legendary Sir Bobby Robson, but chose instead to sign a new deal with Birmingham City, whom he was managing at the time.
The decision by Bruce was an odd one considering Oliver describes the current Hull boss as “over the moon” with news the Magpies wanted him in charge.
Bruce did drop this nugget after his earlier comments to BBC Radio, making it sound like he wouldn’t rule out the possibility. “After what happened to me at Sunderland I know how difficult the north east is. I have only been at Hull a couple of years and they have been really good. They gave me the chance to get up and running again and for that I will always be grateful.”
