Former Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew has been appointed as West Bromwich Albion’s new head coach on a two-and-a-half-year contract.
John Carver, his assistant during his time at Newcastle, will also join the backroom staff at The Hawthorns, as reported by Sky Sports.
According to report, Pardew has been in advanced talks with the Baggies about a return to the club over the last few days after emerging as the favourite to land the managerial job last week.
“The immediate challenge will be to get the results we need to pull ourselves up the table,” Pardew told West Brom’s official website.
“But I’m aware that while I’m joining one of the great, traditional clubs of English football, it is one determined to go forward in the Premier League.”
Gary Megson who have an interim boss following Tony Pulis’ sacking on November 20, has left the club following Pardew’s appointment.
Introducing our new Head Coach, Alan Pardew…
Full story ➡️ https://t.co/oMksgIoD5D#WBA pic.twitter.com/JzrV6YbsOC
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) November 29, 2017
According to the club chairman John Williams, Pardew was West Brom’s preferred candidate by a ‘unanimous decision’ despite having been out of football for almost a year following his demise at Crystal Palace just before Christmas last year.
West Brom’s Chinese owner, Guochuan Lai, was certain he wanted someone with Premier League wealth, while Pardew also has a strong working relationship with the club’s technical director, Nick Hammond.
Hammond was director of football at Reading while Pardew was manager.
“Alan brings the experience of more than 300 Premier League games and the kind of dynamic leadership from which our Club can benefit,” said Williams.
Megson was in the dugout on Tuesday night when the Baggies threw away a 2-0 lead against Newcastle United which later in a 2-2 draw.
“Gary leaves with our gratitude for a sterling job completed in difficult circumstances,” Williams added.
“We met today when I explained our position which he understood and accepted in the highly professional manner with which he has conducted himself since Tony’s departure.”
Alan Pardew will take over a West Brom side that could be in the Premier League bottom three by the time he takes his first game. They sit 16th but could be taken over on Wednesday night by Everton, West Ham and Swansea City.