Alan Pardew has the last laugh on Newcastle's hate mob by quitting for Crystal Palace

The manager's decision to leave St James' Park for a relegation battle says much about the unhappy state of the Toon under Mike Ashley 

 

Smiling again: Alan Pardew is off to a club where he'll feel wanted

Alan Pardew has delivered a spectacular snub to Newcastle by quitting for Crystal Palace.
On Monday morning, Pardew’s peers queued up to insist you simply don’t walk out of St James’ Park (capacity 52,400) for Selhurst Park (26,000).

How could a manager with a firm belief he could one day be England boss, give a two-fingered salute to a club cruising in the top half, with a decent squad and a global profile?
And swap it for a relegation battle at a homely club with a fraction of the potential?
Then Pardew did just that.

He has the last laugh with a double-your-money new job, a fresh challenge he believes is more satisfying, and a lot less friction and vitriol to contend with now he is leaving Tyneside.
He was driven away by an impossible cocktail of factors, both football and fan-related.

 

Quids in: Newcastle owner Mike Ashley will be happy with a compensation fee from Palace

Like his wish for a new striker to be signed in January, reiterated very publicly on Boxing Day, being unlikely to happen.
Like the possibility of having his latest star man, Moussa Sissoko cashed in, either in January or the summer.

True, he has taken on a smaller club than Newcastle, but he’s wanted and loved at Selhurst Park.
He’s taking a no-lose crack at avoiding the drop, for fans who support and respect him.
For months he has taken the taunts of a Tyneside hate-mob on the chin.

Alan Pardew's Newcastle record

185 Games

71 Won

41 Drawn

73 Lost

 He called it “mass-hysteria” and played it cool, but it hurt, and he admitted it bothered his family.
It went quieter when he conjured a winning streak and won manager of the month for November, but the “Pardew Out” campaign ridiculed him daily, and made his life outside of football on Tyneside less than fun.

He isn’t perfect and had has some bad moments as United boss. Remember the headbutt and bad runs of form lasting 10 months earlier this year?

But he has also coached the team to fifth place, had a decent Europa League run, and kept the team afloat despite the club selling every top player they stumbled upon.

The thirst of some to see the back of Pardew at Newcastle – and there was a moment this season when I thought he was finished – assumes Mike Ashley is capable of making a great appointment to replace him.

Abuse: Newcastle fans wanted Alan Pardew gone

That is one huge assumption to make of an owner Pardew himself said doesn’t ­understand football and gets frustrated by its ways.

“We need a manager who is experienced in delivering trophies”, some supporters cry.
Fans drool about a statesman like Jurgen Klopp, Frank de Boer and Rafa Benitez.
De Boer’s agent says he won’t quit Ajax mid-season. Meanwhile the usual suspects including Steve Bruce and Tony Pulis are keen.

Gallery: Newcastle fans' Pardew Out campaign

 

Ashley is as likely to appoint from left-field, the inexperienced Tim Sherwood perhaps, alongside Toon legend Les Ferdinand.

Interested bosses will have to swallow their pride and be ­deferentially grateful, learning never to pick a public fight with Ashley.

Appointing a big name would assume ambition, but there is none at boardroom level.
Ashley appears happy with Newcastle finishing between eighth and 10th.

A run in the cups? No thanks, that could ruin league form, so the club policy goes.
Which next-big-thing manager is going to ­salivate at that prospect?
It is a mission for mid-table mediocrity.

 

Say goodbye: Pardew applauds the crowd after Newcastle defeated Everton on Sunday

Alan Pardew at Newcastle

Signed on December 9, 2010 with five-and-a-half year deal.
Agreed an eight-year contract extension in September 2012.
League finishes:
2010-11: 12th
2011-12: 5th
2012-13: 16th
2013-14: 10th
Overall record:
P 185 W 71 D 41 L 73