Ex-Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew hits back over bonus payment claims

The club's top-flight status was confirmed on Friday when the Dutch Eredivisie was cancelled, with reports that Pardew was in line to receive a £100,000 bonus.

ADO Den Haag will remain in the top flight despite being seven points adrift of safety with eight games remaining before the season was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The reports angered Pardew and he has now moved to explain what actually happened.

In a statement released on Sunday, Pardew explained: “When I signed for ADO there was a bonus clause in my contract for avoiding relegation, however, the figure is not the one being reported by the press.

"These clauses are standard practice in the majority of managers' contracts around the world.

"It was my understanding that this clause would only be activated if we had finished the season and ADO had avoided relegation.

"However, on a technicality issue with regard to the way the Dutch season ended, I was informed ADO intended to pay the bonus.

"I immediately contacted the club and told them not to pay me the money and to either give it to the non-playing staff at the club or donate it to Holland's health service to help in their efforts to beat COVID-19.

"I hope that this clears up any misunderstandings caused by the press reports.

"The thoughts and prayers of myself and my family are with everyone around the world who has suffered or are suffering from this terrible virus."

Pardew, 58, was appointed manager at the Dutch club in December in a bid to help stave off relegation from the Eredivisie.

However, it did not exactly go to plan for Pardew, who previously signed an eight-year deal with the Magpies before leaving for Crystal Palace in 2015.