Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has received the backing of club owner Mike Ashley despite failing to win any of the club’s first four Premier League matches this season, culminating in a 4-0 defeat at Southampton over the weekend.
The loss at St. Mary’s Stadium, which saw two defensive errors gift goals to Southampton, dropped Newcastle to the bottom of the league with two points and left Pardew with just five wins at the club in 2014.
Despite the poor run of form in the year, Pardew oversaw training as usual on Monday and is expected to remain as manager for the foreseeable future.
The former Southampton, West Ham and Charlton Atheltic manager had led Newcastle to a fifth placed finish in 2012, signing an eight-year contract afterwards.
Since then however, he has lost a few key players – including Yohan Cabaye to Paris St. Germain – and endured a torrid end to 2013/14 season in which the club finished 10th.
And Saturday’s match at the south coast witnessed Newcastle fans display “Pardew Out” banners as well as calling for Mike Ashley to leave the club.
Newcastle next face Hull City in the Premier League, with reports already linking Hull manager Steve Bruce to replace Pardew soon, speculation which Bruce has tagged as “disrespectful”.