Whilst his ailing side have shown resurgence in the recent weeks, Alan Pardew abhorrent 2016 has finally caught up with him after he was fired from his position as Crystal Palace manager – with Sam Allardyce set to be named his replacement in the coming days.
The Eagles cult legend has overseen 8 defeats in the last 10 league games, culminating in 22 defeats over the past year, one of the worst records for any professional team across Europe. Statistics that clearly worried the new majority shareholders, David Blitzer and Josh Harris,
Dangling just a point above the relegation, the upper hierarchy of the club have decided their Premier League survival will be better handled by Big Sam.
Public defender of the Pards, club chairman Steve Parish, was at hand to say the following to the BBC.
“Relegation is so costly and I feel, with no blame attached, we got ourselves in a rut and need a change,”
“We hope a change will change things. We all bought into the decision to play a more expansive style of football. We all believed in it. That hasn’t worked. It’s no one’s fault. The players have been running their socks off for Alan, the spirit is good. But now we’re going to wind the dial back the other way.”
Disgraced following unsavoury hidden camera footage released under a newspaper sting, Allardyce was sacked from his position as England manager in late September.
Despite his short break away from the game in the aftermath, it was always suggested that the manager would return quickly to the game. Indeed Swansea had been hovering intently.
Whilst many Palace fans will be wincing at the appointment of the divisive manager, it’s difficult to argue that Allardyce’s record with starting struggling side’s is anything but top notch.
Equally the former Sunderland, West Ham and Bolton boss will champing at the bit to get strong victories into work following such an almighty England themed gaffe.
The 62 year old has signed in until 2019, with the Boxing Day fixture against Watford potentially his first game in charge.