LONDON, England September 28 – Newcastle manager Alan Pardew was given a remarkable eight-year contract on Thursday as the north-east club sought to emulate the likes of Premier League rivals Manchester United and Arsenal.
Both of those clubs have stuck by Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger respectively and Newcastle believe the 51-year-old Pardew is the man to end the north-east club’s now 43-year wait for a major trophy.
“If you look at clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have shown that stability gives you the best platform to achieve success and that is the model we wish to emulate here,” said Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias.
“We are looking to build on the success we had last season and these new contracts are aimed at keeping the club progressing on and off the pitch, as we have done since returning to the Premier League in 2010.
“Alan has done a fantastic job over the last couple of years and has proved what a great Premier League manager he is.
“I have total respect for him in all football matters and have an excellent relationship with him which I think benefits the club enormously.
“Alan also has one of the best backroom teams in the country and I would like to thank John Carver, Steve Stone, and Andy Woodman for all their combined efforts.
“We hope this announcement will be great news for the fans, whose support and commitment to this club over the years has been fantastic.”
Pardew, assistant manager John Carver, coach Steve Stone and goalkeeping coach Andy Woodman have all been given identical length contracts with chief scout Graham Carr having signed his own eight-year deal in June.
Former Reading, West Ham, Charlton and Southampton boss Pardew replaced the sacked Chris Hughton, who had taken the Magpies back into English football’s top flight, on a five-year deal in December 2010.
Pardew kept Newcastle in the Premier League in his first season and then led them to an impressive fifth place finish last term, as they just missed out on a place in the Champions League.
Aided by Carr, Pardew has made several impressive signings in the transfer market which have seen Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse and Yohan Cabaye all enjoy success at St James’ Park.
However, Newcastle — whose last major piece of silverware was the 1969 Fairs Cup, forerunner of the current Europa League — saw another chance to end their trophy drought pass them by when a weakened side lost 2-1 to Manchester United in the third round of the English League Cup on Wednesday.
