Alan Pardew: Crystal Palace appoint Newcastle manager

Crystal Palace have appointed Newcastle boss Alan Pardew as their new manager.

Pardew was given permission by the Magpies to speak with the London side after the two clubs agreed compensation on Monday.

The 53-year-old replaces Neil Warnock, who was sacked last Saturdayfour months into his second spell in charge.

Palace have yet to officially confirm the deal but BBC Sport understands Pardew signed his contract with the Eagles on Friday evening.

Pardew was in the stands as Palace claimed a goalless draw at Aston Villa on New Year's Day, a result that saw the Selhurst Park club remain in the relegation zone.

He leaves Newcastle with the Tyneside club sitting 10th in the Premier League. The compensation package demanded by Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has not been disclosed.

After becoming Magpies manager in December 2010, former Reading, West Ham, Southampton and Charlton boss Pardew guided United to a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League in 2012.

But supporters on Tyneside called for Pardew - who was under contract until 2020 - to be sacked earlier this season when Newcastle were in the bottom three.

Pardew has strong links with Palace having spent four years playing in their midfield from 1987, and he scored the winning goal as the Eagles beat Liverpool 4-3 after extra time in the 1990 FA Cup last four.

Palace caretaker boss Keith Millen says Pardew has been helping to prepare the team for Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie against Conference side Dover Athletic.

"Alan has held a staff meeting when he spoke about a number of things," Millen said on Friday. "He spoke to the players and then we had training.

"We're preparing for the game on Sunday and I'm sure Alan will be taking the game. He'll be taking training on Saturday."

Millen has been in charge of Palace since the sacking of Warnock a week ago.

Kevin Dillon, assistant coach to Pardew at Reading, on BBC Radio 5 live:
"I think it's a perfect fit. I think Alan's done a great job at Newcastle after being there four years. They've played in Europe, he got manager of the year and recently manager of the month.
"I worked for him for three years and he's the best coach I've worked with. He's hands on. He doesn't sit back and let things happen. He comes up with the procedures and does the coaching himself."

Palace are without a win in eight league games - a run dating back to the 3-1 home win over Liverpool on 23 November.

However, they have claimed two points from their last two games - successive away goalless draws at QPR and Aston Villa.

Palace's next Premier League outing is at home to Tottenham on 10 January.

Pardew will face his old side on 11 February when Newcastle visit Selhurst Park.