The 49-year-old Alan Pardew (pictured) has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract and takes over from Chris Hughton, who parted company with Newcastle United. In a statement, Pardew said: "I am honoured and privileged to have been given this opportunity at Newcastle United, one of the truly great clubs in English football.

"I understand what this club means to its supporters. Throughout the football world people recognise that this is a unique club in many ways, with supporters who are second to none in their loyalty, passion and devotion for the team."

"I'm not a Geordie, of course, but I'm a football person with a love of the game and I can assure you I bring great drive, desire and commitment to the job."

The former Reading, West Ham United, Charlton Athletic and Southampton manager has been out of work since losing his job at St Mary's Stadium.

During his year in charge there, he led the Saints to their first silverware since 1976 with a 4:1 Wembley win over Carlisle United in the Johnstones Paint Trophy final but was sacked in August 2010 following a 4:0 win at Bristol Rovers.

Pardew acknowledged the job Hughton did in stabilising the Magpies and is determined to build upon his work, starting this Saturday evening's English Premier League match with Liverpool at St James' Park.