Crystal Palace have officially parted ways with silver fox, dancer and occasional managerAlan Pardew, after just shy of two years together.
In anofficial statementfrom the Eagles, who sit just one point off the relegation zone and have lost 22 games in 2016, chairman Steve Parish thanked Pards for his service which included: "narrowly missing out on winning the FA cup as well as securing our Premier League place for a record breaking fourth time"
In what can only be considered abhorrent Christmas news, thePremier League will have to do without the man responsible for:headbutting David Meyler, calling Manuel Pellegrini (eight years his senior) "an old c*nt" and THAT dance in the FA Cup final.
Of bloody course, Twitter reacted. Here's some of the best:
PARDIOLA HAS LEFT CRYSTAL PALACE pic.twitter.com/MNKfs3sRbX
Alan Pardew has been given the Christmas sack by Crystal Palace.
Crystal Palace have sacked Alan Pardew. pic.twitter.com/pTbBSHIW3N
*tears up running order* Goodnight, sweet prince. pic.twitter.com/ZYPNEaQK7C
Very unfortunate timing for Pardew... who's gonna bother buying his aftershave now? https://t.co/6Gc8ETlmf1
When you're given the Christmas break off. #cpfc pic.twitter.com/xvd1JtWOah
Pardew received a £5million pay-off from Palace.
I reckon his Christmas will be more than merry... pic.twitter.com/4UmOg5OAQv
Mysterious Pards.#VineMemories https://t.co/w3lo3JCVvG
Alan Pardew walking in to the job centre like¦ #CPFC https://t.co/IdkUziHyvV
There was also someirony highlighted, amongst the Christmas lolz...
This is the closest pre-Christmas sacking to Dec 25 since Charlton binned Les Reed on Xmas eve. He was replaced, neatly enough, by Pardew.
Pardew has managed to get sacked from Palace just 5 years into his 8 year contract at Newcastle. Impressive
And references to Pardew's touted successor Big Sam Allardyce...
So Pardew, many times tipped to be England manager, likely to be replaced at Palace by former England manager.
One chap claimed to have got the final picture with Pards during his Palace tenure. Ever the pro, the former Newcastle boss stopped for one final selfie on the platform,without giving any indicationof the inevitable.
So I bumped into Alan Pardew at London Victoria this morning.. turns out he was on his way to be sacked. His last picture as #CPFC manager 😂 pic.twitter.com/VeBvxXMGlO
There's no word on what Pards was listening to at the time, but Green Day's Good Riddance (Time of your Life) is as good a guess as any.
See you soon Alan. You will be missed.