From TP to AP – Why Alan Pardew will become Albion’s next manager
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, then you’ll already know that Tony Pulis’ reign of nearly three years has ended. It’s fair to say that it has been greeted with great joy. Yet, after the seemingly easy decision of relieving the Welshman of his duties comes the tough part… Who’s next?
Everyone knew before the sacking that the list of possible candidates was, let’s say, underwhelming. Reports suggest that Albion, are correctly, looking for Pulis’ successor to have Premier League experience. This would remove bookies front-runner Michael O’Neil, Baggies favourite Derek McInnes and Sheffield United’s Chris Wilder from the list.
So, for the first time in an article, I will put my head on the line and say that I believe Alan Pardew will become West Bromwich Albion’s next head coach.
The mentions of Sam Allardyce and Ronald Koeman were obviously going to arise from the start. I understand Allardyce’s connections to Albion with him being a local to the area, along with sharing time with chairman John Williams at Blackburn Rovers, but let’s be realistic. Would he leave a job at Crystal Palace for ‘family reasons’ to take over a club of the same size less than half a year later? Would he pull out of the Everton running then end up taking the role at the Hawhtorns just a couple of weeks later? I just can’t see it.
Then to Koeman. Would he take the job at Albion when he’s so highly regarded across Europe?
So then over to Pardew. I’m not saying he’d personally be my choice. Yet, the signs so far put him high up on Albion’s agenda. The 56-year-old is certainly controversial and has shown that on many occasions, bringing a dislike towards his arrogance (and of course, dance moves). However, he looks a perfect fit for West Brom.
Pardew’s most recent jobs have seen him lead both Newcastle United and Crystal Palace, two very similar clubs to the Baggies in terms of quality. In his first full season, he led the Toon Army to a European place, picking up Premier League Manager of the Year award.
In January 2015, Crystal Palace appointed Pardew, paying £3.5m for his services and he kept them up. And whose squad did Pardew inherit? You guessed it, Tony Pulis’.
Pardew turned Palace into a very good counter attacking team, with width and pacy wingers getting balls into the box. With direct runners such as Matty Phillips, James McClean and Oliver Burke at Albion’s disposal, he could recreate his early success at Palace at the Hawthorns.
The playing style won’t just change over night because Pulis has gone. Some of these players have been trained the same way for the past three years so it may be until after the NewYyear before big changes are seen, although Pardew did seem to show good signs of a balanced attack and defence at Palace.
The Englishman was known for being the first man to take a team from the relegation zone (a major possibility after the weekend) to a top ten finish when he took over at Palace. Along with leading Palace to an FA Cup final a year and half ago.
He seems an obvious choice for the board to progress and has already said he’s willing to take the job on with his availability being a big help.
Whatever happens, Albion need to get a man in before crunch games against both of Pardew’s former employers, Newcastle and Crystal Palace. Pardew may not be the most popular choice but he may prove to be the best with what is currently out there.