Alan Pardew leaves Den Haag by mutual consent days after relegation reprieve
Alan Pardew has left his position as the manager of Eredivisie club Den Haag by mutual consent, days after the Dutch season was cancelled.
Pardew was appointed in December and tasked with saving the club from relegation. The 58-year-old was unable to lead them out of the relegation zone, but the team were reprieved when the season was scrapped because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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The Dutch FA (KNVB) did not enforce any relegation or promotion, meaning Den Haag will stay in the top tier, but Pardew’s contract has not been renewed. His assistants, Chris Powell and Paul Butler, will also leave the club.
“I want to thank everyone at Den Haag for the past few months,” Pardew said in a club statement. “In particular the players, who gave everything on the field. I also want to thank [the general manager] Mohammed Hamdi and major shareholder United Vansen for their support.”
“I have positive feelings for this club and I have enjoyed the passion of the fans,” he added. “I look back on a beautiful adventure in the Netherlands. It is a pity that the partnership ends, but I wish Den Haag every success in the future.”
Den Haag fans unfurl a Ghostbusters-themed banner at Pardew and Powell’s first match. Photograph: Hollandse Hoogte/Shutterstock
The former Charlton, Derby and Southend manager Powell said: “I look back on a wonderful experience at a great club. I got to work with fantastic people in a beautiful city. I want to thank the fans, the staff members and the players for their support.
“I will remember my time in Den Haag forever,” the 50-year-old added. “Of course, that also applies to the beautiful banner that the supporters had made for us. Come on Den Haag.”
Pardew departs after eight games in charge, winning just one – his first, against RKC Waalwijk. The team picked up three draws and four defeats in their next seven games, and were destined for the relegation play-offs before the season was halted.
The former Crystal Palace and Newcastle manager had been due a bonus after the club escaped relegation, but insisted he would not accept it.
“If I was formally entitled to an amount I would never want to receive it,” Pardew said on Sunday. “In this difficult period I would always return any bonus to the club, which will certainly find a good destination for it.”