Source: Northern_Echo
Pardew happy to be in charge of madhouse
ALAN PARDEW has become Newcastle United's ninth manager in a little more than six years and admits that he has been accused by his peers in the game of being mad for taking the role at St James' Park.[LNB] With talk of fans' protests being planned to show their disapproval for Ashley's decision to replace the well-liked Chris Hughton, Pardew was presented to the media for the first time after signing a five-and-a-half year deal with the Magpies.[LNB] The 49-year-old becomes the fifth appointment of the Ashley regime and the sixth to have worked under the sportswear magnate since he took over the Tyneside club from Freddy Shepherd in the summer of 2007.[LNB] Such a lack of continuity has led to a number of Pardew's friends and former colleagues contacting him in the last 48 hours to voice their disbelief at his decision to take over the position.[LNB] Pardew, born in Wimbledon and a former manager of Southampton, Charlton, West Ham and Reading, had reservations when he was approached about the job by managing director Derek Llambias. The prospect of making Newcastle successful in the Premier League once more, however, convinced him it was the right move.[LNB] I've had a lot of texts from other managers saying I must be mad coming here because of the tough agenda and the history of the ownership with managers, but it's a huge club and it's one of the top five clubs in the country I would suggest, said Pardew.[LNB] "I would be foolish to say it (the number of managerial changes) was not a concern. I genuinely believe I can do the job and I am hopeful I can get a good situation going here and they will stand beside me.[LNB] "I would be lying if I said I did not have some hesitation on Tuesday and on Wednesday when I was travelling up. It is a town I am not familiar with, I make no bones about that. But I want to embrace it and their love for the game. I will move to the town and hopefully stay here a long time.[LNB] I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I had not taken this challenge. I am not a Geordie. A couple of Geordies have text me and both said you have to earn the right to be an honorary Geordie so you had better start working. Kevin Dillon (ex Newcastle skipper and Sunderland-born) was one. I am very much aware that fans will be looking at me.[LNB] If the appointment itself was not enough to shock Newcastle supporters, signing a contract that ties him to the club until the summer of 2016 proved equally puzzling to fans and football enthusiasts alike.[LNB] The situation has led to accusations that his relationship with Llambias and Ashley has proven crucial in his ability to earn such a contract. Particularly when Hughton was left, effectively, a dead man walking from the moment promotion from the Championship was delivered in May.[LNB] I wanted the long contract so that there is some stability, it gives me the chance to get through the times when it is tough and help this team and club grow, said Pardew, who has been out of work since leaving League One side Southampton in August and denied he was lined up weeks ago.[LNB] I'm not friends with Derek, I've encountered him eight or nine times at charity and other events. I'm going to have to work closely with him now. Again with Mike, I bumped into him two or three times. I have seen him on occasions and that has been it. It's a shame for me because this London connection has been thrown at me.[LNB] He added: I think I can imagine how Chris is feeling. When I left Southampton, I won a game 4-0 and got the sack. When a new manager comes in, it is always difficult. I will give him a call but will probably give it some time because you are hurting when something likes this happens but in time.[LNB] While Pardew is happy with the conditions he will be working to, he admits he faces a battle from day one to win over a Newcastle dressing room which had enormous respect for Hughton.[LNB] The former Crystal Palace midfielder had only chatted with team captain Kevin Nolan before his first press conference yesterday, but he will meet the rest of the playing staff when he takes his first training session this morning.[LNB] He will be in the dug-out when Liverpool travel to Tyneside tomorrow night, when fans are planning to make their disapproval of Hughton's treatment clear. Pardew, though, is hoping to be treated fairly by those on the pitch and in the stands.[LNB] Pardew said: Having worked with Chris I know what sort of character he is. He will have been genuinely well liked in that dressing room. I have to follow that.[LNB] It is not something that worried me greatly but in the short term, particularly because I only have one day for them to get a feel for me and understand what I am about, it is going to be hard.[LNB] He added: I can't think of a player in the group I've managed so I'm going to be something of a mystery to them. I have to make sure the players understand I'm a fair manager.[LNB] The love of this town is the club, its football and that passion is fantastic. When I drove up on Tuesday contemplating what was going to happen if I came here, that was quite daunting.[LNB] But when you see this stadium on this hill in the middle of the town, it's something else. The chance to come here and be manager was something I couldn't turn down.[LNB]
