Crystal Palace co-chairman Steve Parish has said that the club won’t stand against Alan Pardew joining Spanish giants Real Madrid, if they do come calling for the former Newcastle United manager. The 54-year-old has had a terrific season with Palace who are currently 5th in the table, just four points behind city rivals Tottenham.
Pardew, who is currently in talks with Palace to extend a contract that runs out in 2018, has already been linked to take up the England job as Roy Hodgson’s successor.
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We want Pardew to stay: Parish
Talking about the situation, Parish told BBC Radio 5 live, ”We want Alan to stay at the club a very long time, but who knows what will happen, if Real Madrid want Alan Pardew then I'm sure we wouldn't stand in his way. Everyone wants to get to the best point they can in their career but I know right now that Alan is very happy here.”
“He's not thinking about anything other than being here, we're not thinking about anything else, and if something comes up because we're very successful what can we do about it?” he added. "We'll have to cross that bridge at the time."
Palace are at home to struggling champions and London rivals Chelsea on Sunday and will be hoping to get something out of the game having witnessed the Blues and their poor form this season.
Palace excelling under Pardew
Pardew was appointed as manager at Palace in January and has quickly won the faith of the fans and management as the right man to carry the club forward. Being a former player and fan favourite at Selhurst Park, he has done a terrific job so far as manager.
Palace have enjoyed a brilliant first half of the season under the Englishman and will be hoping to enter the next phase of the league in a strong mindset when they face Chelsea during the weekend.
Palace won 2-1 in the reverse fixture held at Stamford Bridge in August and will believe in themselves to do a league double over their rivals. They have also won 2-1 at Anfield this season which had put a halt to Jurgen Klopp’s unbeaten reign as Liverpool manager. Palace are considered as one of the most entertaining sides in the league so far even though their last two fixtures were stalemates and produced zero goals.
