According to reports, under-pressure Alan Pardew will remain in charge of Newcastle United for at least another two Premier League matches.
It had been suggested before the international break earlier this month that, after an alarming slump last season and a far from encouraging start this time around, Pardew had two games to save his job at St James Park. The first of those was an embarrassing 4-0 defeat at Southampton, one of his former clubs, which was followed with a 2-2 home draw against Hull City.
Despite these results, and the fact they are yet to record a win this term, Pardew remains in position. But the pressure was again cranked up ahead of the trip to Stoke City on Monday, with reports revealing Mike Ashley had told an independent journalist that the 53-year-old would be sacked in the light of a defeat in the Potteries, although he later went on to claim he had merely been joking.
However, there was little room for laughs in the visiting end at the Britannia Stadium, as a Peter Crouch goal was enough to inflict a third league defeat of the season on the Magpies. This result leaves them second-bottom of the Premier League table, ahead of Burnley by goal difference only, but despite the increasing calls from the Newcastle fans for him to be sacked, Pardew insists he will battle on.
“We’ve got to fight, I’ve got to fight and the team’s got to fight and that’s what we’ll continue to do until we turn it round,” he told Sky Sports. “I think we’ll have some serious conversations before Saturday, because he (Ashley) doesn’t want to lose and nor do I. I’ve never really been in this situation before, but I’m a professional football manager. That’s what I do, and that’s what I’ll continue to do.”
According to Sky, Pardew will not be sacked before the trip to Swansea City on Saturday, nor will he be shown the door should they lose in Wales. This would theoretically mean he will still be in charge for the visit of Leicester City on 18 October, yet his position will surely become under more scrutiny if they remain winless afterwards as a potentially tricky double-header at Tottenham Hotspur and at home to Liverpool follows, sandwiched by a trip to Manchester City in the League Cup.
Should Pardew be axed, one potential successor could be David Moyes. The Scot built up a fine reputation during a decade with Everton, but this quickly became unravelled when he was sacked less than twelve-months into a six-year contract at Manchester United. Even so, he remains one of the most high-profile coaches in the country, and is known to be determined to return to the game.
Is now the time for Pardew to be sacked, and who would be a good appointment to replace him? Have your say be joining the discussion below.
