Former Newcastle United boss linked with England return after six-year absence

Former Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew is being lined up for a shock return to English football, according to reports. The 62-year-old has not managed in this country since leaving West Bromwich Albion in 2018, but reports suggest he is among the leader contenders to take over at Burnley.

The recently-relegated side saw Vincent Kompany depart for Bayern Munich last week, and are looking for a new manager to spearhead their Championship promotion campaign. Frank Lampard has been linked with the role, but the Sun now report Pardew is in the frame.

He managed Newcastle for just over four years, guiding the club to a fifth-placed Premier League finish in 2012 with a side that contained the likes of Yohan Cabaye, Cheick Tiote, Hatem Ben Arfa and Demba Ba. However, things turned sour on Tyneside under Mike Ashley's ownership and he left the club for Crystal Palace in December 2014.

READ MORE: Managing Newcastle United: £60m winger arrives, senior stars exit and £250m interest snubbed

READ MORE: Kieran Trippier drops hint over Newcastle United future ahead of special England opportunity

Pardew took Palace to an FA Cup final in 2016, losing the Manchester United, but poor league form saw him leave Selhurst Park later that year. A brief spell at West Brom followed, but since then he has managed abroad with ADO Den Haag (Netherlands), CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria) and Greek side Aris Thessaloniki.

Pardew has recently worked in the media, often appearing on talkSPORT, and last year spoke about the club under the new owners.

"It is so great for Newcastle now," Pardew said in 2023. "I was with some Newcastle friends recently at a wedding and they are loving it, the whole city. They now have the finance to finally compete and to be what they always wanted and what they always felt they were. They are one of the greatest supported clubs in the world, let alone in England.

"To have the finance now, the whole city is buzzing and it is a great feeling. It is not just about the football, it is what it does for the community and the city. They have the clout, Newcastle, to go to the next level. You are now going from a Champions League team, which Eddie has got them to, to winning a trophy.

"They have thrown £300million towards it, which is a lot of money to spend on a football club in any language, but you have to spend it wisely. Like we have seen at Everton and Chelsea recently, if you don't spend it well it can come back and bite you. It can leave you in an even worse position."