sport news Newcastle: Alan Pardew on torment at the Toon, his new Bulgaria gig and quest ...

sport news Newcastle: Alan Pardew on torment at the Toon, his new Bulgaria gig and quest ...
sport news Newcastle: Alan Pardew on torment at the Toon, his new Bulgaria gig and quest ...

Alan Pardew has taken refuge in a coffee shop just north of the Arctic Circle to avoid the bitter wind whistling down the fjord and through the streets of the Norwegian city of Bodo.

CSKA Sofia are preparing for a Europa Conference League match and their director of football is reflecting on a year helping one of the great names from Europe's east, 31 times national champions, back to the top after financial meltdown dumped them into the third tier of Bulgarian football in 2015.

'This club had great moments in the past, famous games against Liverpool and Bayern Munich, but it's a long, long way back there,' Pardew tells Sportsmail. 'This level suits us at the moment and it's significant. The difference between qualifying for Europe and not can be as much as half a million pounds.'

Alan Pardew previously managed Newcastle United and guided them to a fifth-placed finish

Alan Pardew previously managed Newcastle United and guided them to a fifth-placed finish 

During Pardew's (middle) time at the helm he also made it to the Europa League last eight

During Pardew's (middle) time at the helm he also made it to the Europa League last eight

CSKA went on to lose 2-0 in sub-zero temperatures on Bodo/Glimt's artificial pitch, but Monday's clash at Ludogorets, Bulgarian champions for the last 10 years, was already looming large. 'That's our biggest target,' says Pardew.

'We've been playing catch-up. And the owner of Ludogorets owns the TV company with the rights to Bulgarian football, so we have to play uphill. How can that be right?

'But we won the Cup last season and beat them in the semi-final and we'll run them close this season. We've put together a quality team on quite a low budget and these head-to-head games will probably determine where the title goes.'

More than three years have passed since Pardew worked in English football. He was sacked by West Bromwich Albion after five months, unable to rescue them from an awful start to their 2017-18 campaign.

Pardew says Eddie Howe (above) will find it 'difficult' because he hasn't managed a 'big club'

Pardew says Eddie Howe (above) will find it 'difficult' because he hasn't managed a 'big club'

'I feel a bit aggrieved because, for whatever reason, people turned their backs on me after West Brom,' says the 60-year-old. 'You can be dealt a bad hand as a manager. Look at David Moyes at Sunderland and now look at him at West Ham. He's been given another chance.'

The managerial careers of Pardew and Moyes unfolded in parallel, starting in the third tier in the 1990s, and winning promotion with Reading and Preston respectively before stepping up to the Premier League.

'David is a great guy, perfect for West Ham. He's got a good hand this time and can play it well because he has the quality and experience. I haven't had that chance again and I'm hoping it comes because I'm still hungry. I'm not wary of going back in. I can do a good job.'

Pardew has delivered success to most clubs he has managed. Promotion with Reading, FA Cup finals with West Ham and Crystal Palace, silverware at Southampton for the first time in 34 years.

At Newcastle, his team finished fifth, and went on to the Europa League last eight before star players Demba Ba and Yohan Cabaye were sold, and supporters turned on him as an agent of despised owner Mike Ashley. Sound familiar?

Pardew also says the Newcastle team (above) 'look short' and are in need of new players

Pardew also says the Newcastle team (above) 'look short' and are in need of new players

However, he says it will be difficult to acquire new players in the January transfer window

However, he says it will be difficult to acquire new players in the January transfer window

'Newcastle were ninth when I left but it was the right move because the fans were done with me. I might be the only person who knew exactly what Steve Bruce was going through because the same thing happened to me because of Mike.

'Monday to Friday wasn't a problem, it was a lovely experience, lovely people. Then

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