Sam Allardyce named new Crystal Palace boss following sacking of Alan Pardew - Sky sourcesBy Mark Ashenden
Last Updated: 23/12/16 5:22pm
Sam Allardyce has been appointed manager of Crystal Palace one day after the dismissal of Alan Pardew, according to Sky sources.
It is understood Allardyce has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal.
It means a fairly swift return to management for the 62-year-old, out of work since leaving his post as England boss by mutual consent at the end of September after 67 days and just one game following a newspaper investigation.The former Bolton, Blackburn, Newcastle, West Ham and Sunderland manager left his home in Bolton on Friday morning as his representatives began negotiations with the south London club.
He arrived at Palace's training ground at around 2.15pm and held three hours of talks with chairman Steve Parish.
With Palace struggling in 17th spot in the Premier League after one win in 11 games, Parish, who co-owns the club with American investors Josh Harris and David Blitzer, admitted on Thursday that Pardew's "expansive style of football hasn't worked".
He added: "Relegation is so costly and I feel, with no blame attached, we got ourselves in a rut and need a change."
With the appointment out of the way, Allardyce will likely take training on Saturday and oversee his first match in front of the Sky Sports cameras with a visit Watford on Boxing Day, kick-off 12.30pm
Asked by Sky Sports News HQ on arriving at Palace if he felt it was the right job to re-launch his management career after an ill-fated one-match England spell, Allardyce said: "Fantastic."
The 1-0 home defeat by Chelsea last Saturday left the Eagles one place and one point above the drop zone. They have had a miserable 2016, despite making the FA Cup final, winning six out of their 36 Premier League matches and picking up only 26 points.
In Friday's press conference, Keith Millen, in temporary charge, said: "It is amazing how resilient the players can be."
Allardyce has never been relegated as a manager and secured promotion to the Premier League with both Bolton and West Ham.
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