Crystal Palace have sacked manager Alan Pardew. The news comes just three days before Christmas, with the Eagles having endured truly awful league form during the calendar year 2016. He is the second Premier League boss to lose his job this season.
A club statement on Thursday afternoon read, '"Crystal Palace F.C. have today asked Alan Pardew to step down as manager of the club".
Palace have additionally confirmed that they are "are hoping to put someone in place as quickly as possible but have nothing to say about a replacement at this time".
Chairman Steve Parish told CPFC.co.uk, "I would like to put on record our sincere gratitude for the tremendous service Alan has given us, both in his time here as manager and previously as a player.
"Following a fantastic second half of 2014/15, the 2015/16 season culminated in only narrowly missing out on winning the FA Cup as well as securing our Premier League place for a record breaking fourth time.
"During his tenure Alan's hard work and dedication were without question, he has improved so many areas of the club and we wish him the very best for the future."
In astatementof his own, Pardew said, "I would just like to take the opportunity to thank everybody at Crystal Palace for their fantastic support. In particular a big thanks to the players who gave me absolutely everything and Steve Parish and his board.
"Personally I have a lot of good feelings for this football club and am sad that my time there has ended. I feel that I have a special bond with the club and hope that hasn't been affected, I wish everybody associated with the club the best of luck in the future including of course the fans who have been magnificent."
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