Alan Pardew has continued his eclectic footballing journey having recently been confirmed as manager of Aris Thessaloniki.
The former Newcastle United and West Ham United coach has penned a one-year deal with the Greek Super League side, with the option of a further 12 months. He is joined by assistant Alex Dyer and becomes the replacement to Germán Burgos in Thessaloniki. Pardew’s latest move represents another intriguing move in the 61-year-old’s managerial career having gone overseas over the last few years for fresh opportunities.
He of course initially made his name with Reading and West Ham United before having managerial stints at Southampton and Newcastle United. Pardew was often castigated at St James’ Park and left the North East for Crystal Palace back in 2015. A further spell with West Bromwich Albion ended after just a few months with the Baggies looking likely to be relegated to the Championship.
He was then out of the game for a little while before being appointed head coach of Dutch side ADO Den Haag but again Pardew left shortly after with the Covid-19 pandemic bringing the Eredivisie season to an end.
His latest role has seen him take the reins at Bulgarian outfit CSKA Sofia - initially as a football advisor before he became manager. After just seven matches, Pardew left the club after racist behaviour from supporters towards players.
He will now hope to have a positive impact during his new role with Aris. The Greek outfit currently sit sixth in the early league standings after just four games but have scored just three goals in that time.
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Should he want to do that, then he may have to repair a rift with veteran forward Gervinho. The 35-year-old Ivorian arrived from Turkish side Trabzonspor in the summer but during his days with Arsenal was accused of diving by his new manager following a clash between Newcastle and the Gunners back in 2011.
The Ivorian went down in the penalty area following a challenge from Newcastle's Cheick Tiote. Joey Barton reacted furiously, with Gervinho then aiming a blow at the controversial midfielder - something that saw the Arsenal man sent off.
Speaking at the time, Pardew said: "Firstly, Gervinho dived, I don't think there's any doubt about that, and that gets the blood boiling in any footballer, let alone Joey Barton.
"Then of course it turned into a tussle, but Joey never raised his hands or anything and the guy slapped him around the head. You can't do that. You know on a Sunday morning, you can't do that, so you ain't going to get away with it here, so I thought the referee probably got it right."
