New Crystal Palace chief Alan Pardew’s decision to quit Newcastle may have been influenced by the club’s transfer failings, with missing out on Bafetimbi Gomis key.
The former Magpies chief endured a tough time in the North East, with his allegiance to owner Mike Ashley having frustrated fans and contributed to “Pardew out” chants and banners at St James’ Park.
His spell on Tyneside ended recently, with the former Charlton and Southampton chief opting to return to the club he once played for, Palace.
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The decision to leave one of the nation’s most followed sides for the Eagles – who are entrenched in a relegation battle – raised eyebrows, and Zapsportz Editor, Bill Bradshaw, believes that transfer failings, in particular with now Swansea ace Gomis, had a big impact on his choice:
“Why, oh why, would the Premier League’s second-longest serving manager give up his job in charge of the Geordie nation’s beloved club – complete with its 52,000-capacity sell-outs in its sparkling citadel perched proudly above the city – for a much smaller, unfashionable outfit on the fringes of south London?” he wrote.
“Well, dear reader, I can enlighten you. Rewind to early October and I was having a spot of lunch in Soho with a good friend and mutual friend of Pardew when the smooth grey fox walked in and joined us.
“He looked remarkably chipper for a bloke at the centre of a campaign by his own fans to have him fired. Some Toon fans even set up a website: Sackpardew.com – but he had just had a break. His team had snatched an unlikely 2-2 draw at Swansea from the jaws of defeat, having trailed 2-0.
“I congratulated him on the point and also for the finishing of striker Papiss Cisse who had claimed both Newcastle goals. That got Pardew talking about his lot on Tyneside.
“Yes, one goal in particular was well taken, but Pardew had reservations. He had wanted to sign French striker Bafetimbi Gomis in the summer but had missed out to Swansea who bagged him on a free transfer. When Pardew led his team into the Liberty Stadium for that game, Gomis was there to remind him, taking his place on the Swans bench.
““How can it be that Swansea, with crowds of 26,000, can outbid us on Gomis’ terms?” he queried, “I can’t get my head around that.”
“There was more. Pardew wanted to sign the big Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld from Spanish champions Atletico Madrid. Lightning struck twice as the summer window closed with Alderweireld choosing to join the Saints on loan ahead of Newcastle.
“Personal terms again were the crucial factor, not a fee. The player visited both Tyneside and the south coast and Pardew was snubbed again.”
Palace have been linked with moves for Gomis is the past few weeks, with Swansea rumoured to be ready to consider £6m offers for the Frenchman.
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