Premier League managerial merry-go-round continues

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is set to become the Crystal Palace boss

On the back of Neil Warnock leaving Crystal Palace and Alan Irvine leaving West Brom, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is set to leave Newcastle to replace Warnock at Selhurst Park, leaving Newcastle in need of a new boss.

It seems the annual Premier League managerial merry-go-round has kicked-off and it could have a big effect on the English top-flight.

Return

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is set to return to former-club Palace after the two clubs agreed compensation.

Pardew enjoyed a successful spell at Selhurst Park as a player during the eighties, reaching the FA Cup final in 1990 against Manchester United.

Pardew is believed to keen on a return to Selhurst Park, despite the fact that the Eagles are in the relegation zone and the Magpies are comfortably in midtable in the Premier League.

However there is a general consensus that he does feel like he has had the necessary support from the Magpies owner Mike Ashley, so a return to one of his former-clubs seems like the ideal solution for Pardew.

Ruled Out

Pardew’s exit leaves Newcastle in need of a replacement. Former-Palace boss Tony Pulis was linked with a move to the north east, but according to Sky he was never in the running to become the new Magpies boss.

Pulis looks set for a Premier League return anyway with West Brom. The experienced boss has held talks with the Baggies, although former-Spurs boss Tim Sherwood has also held talks with the Baggies. Pulis is the favourite for the position though.

Hull City boss Steve Bruce, Newcastle born and bred, has also been linked with the job. However, he has denied that he is interested in the job and wants to finish his job with the Tigers.

Candidates

Current caretaker boss John Carver seems to be in the running to get the job on a permanent basis. Derby boss Steve McLaren has been linked with the position, but he too has dismissed the rumours linking him with the job.

Former-Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington odds of becoming the next Magpies boss have been slashed. I am sure most Magpies fans would be underwhelmed by the appointment of any of the above mentioned bosses.

None of them are exactly stellar names and it seems that Newcastle owner Mike Ashley could take the cheap option in his choice of next boss. This tactic could prove perilous, as West Brom has shown this season with their appointment of Irvine.

Panic

It is seems it is that time of year where panic has set in at West Brom and Crystal Palace. Both are in the relegation dogfight and have had success at changing manager’s mid-season. That tactic may work in the short-term, but it is unlikely to bring long-term success.

West Brom took a gamble by appointing Spaniard Pepe Mel, who helped the Baggies narrowly escape relegation last season.

Crystal Palace’s Tony Pulis achieved rather more success. The Welshman guided the Eagles from bottom of the Premier League table to a 12^th place finish, winning Manager of the Year in the process.

Both clubs were in the relegation battle last season and they both find themselves in a similar situation this season, Palace because they would not back Pulis in the transfer market and West Brom due to the fact they appointed the cheap option in Alan Irvine to replace Mel.

Gamble

Firing and hiring managers at this point of the season is always a gamble. Sometimes it pays-off and sometimes it does not. The recent managerial movement is probably just the start, as more Premier League bosses are likely to swap clubs by the end of the season.

The boards of both West Brom and Crystal Palace will hope that their policy of hiring a manager mid-season pays off once again.

Will new managers have the desired effect on the above clubs?