Former Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew takes shock new job in football

Alan Pardew is interviewed by Sky Sports before to the Premier League match between Southampton and Newcastle United at St Mary's Stadium.

The former Newcastle United manager – who left Dutch club Den Haag earlier this year after the Eredivisie season was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic – has joined CSKA Sofia as their technical director.

A CSKA statement read: “Army men, English football specialist Alan Pardew will henceforth be part of the big red family of the Army. He will take the position of Technical Director, and will help with his vast experience and contacts in the overall development of the club and attracting players to the representative team.

"The 59-year-old Briton has already signed his personal contract, and started working immediately. Welcome to the Army, Mr. Alan Pardew!”

Pardew spent four years at St James’s Park before leaving in December 2014 to take charge of Crystal Palace, one of the clubs he served as a player, following the dismissal of Neil Warnock.