Football
Reuters 18y

Soccer-West Ham manager Pardew signs five-year deal

LONDON, Nov 2 - West Ham United manager Alan
Pardew has agreed a five-year contract with the Premier League
club.

Pardew, who took over at Upton Park in October 2003 and
guided them to promotion last season, has taken them to ninth in
the table.

"I am particularly delighted to sign a long-term contract
because it means the staff and the players know the club is now
seeking to establish some stability," he told the club's
website.

"We are all moving forward together...the first phase was to
get us out of the Championship (English second division) and
into the Premier League.

"The second phase was to consolidate our Premiership
position and on that front progress has already been made.

"The third phase is to take the club forward and achieve
success. That does not mean putting a millstone around our necks
by saying next year we will set ourselves a target to qualify
for Europe or win trophies.

"But as the belief grows so should our expectations."

Pardew, regarded as one of the brightest young English
managers, quit the East Londoners' former second division rivals
Reading to take on the job following relegation.

He secured promotion in his second season through the
play-offs.

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