Former Newcastle United boss makes shock return to management after two-year absence

Former Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew is set for a surprise return to management with CSKA Sofia on a short-term basis.

It’s two years since the 60-year-old last managed a club after leaving Dutch outfit ADO Den Haag in April 2020.

A few months later, he was appointed CSKA Sofia’s technical director but is now expected to return to the dugout for an interim period following Stoycho Mladenov’s resignation.

According to Sky Sports News, Pardew took first-team training on Thursday and will be in charge for Sunday’s clash with Levski.

Pardew, who led the Magpies to a fifth-place finish in the 2011/12 Premier League campaign, hasn’t worked in England since being sacked by West Bromwich Albion four years ago.

The former defender left United in December 2014- just two years into his infamous EIGHT-year contract - to join top-flight rivals Crystal Palace.

Speaking about his switch to Selhurst Park, Pardew told FourFourTwo: “When Palace came in for me I said ‘Look, Mike (Ashley), I can’t win them (the fans) over.’

“I left when we were ninth, I think. We beat Everton in my last game there but it had reached a point where I thought, it isn’t doing the players any good, me being here.

“At first I think (Ashley was sad to see me go), but in hindsight, I think he felt it was the right thing to do.

“Palace was a great opportunity. I didn’t think they were performing well and felt I could get more out of the team.”

Pardew has also taken charge of West Ham United, Charlton Athletic and Southampton.