Newcastle United supporters in the Football Transfer Tavern have been rocked by the news that Alan Pardew is set to leave the club to take over the vacant mangers’ position at Crystal Palace.

Had you asked Toon Army supporters whether that would have been a scenario they could have gotten behind in October, the majority would have replied absolutely.

But in that time, Pardew has managed to turn things around at St. James’ Park and the Magpies are right in the frame for European qualification come the end of the season.

Pardew has endured a turbulent time at St. James’ Park in recent times with some supporters going as far as to launch a campaign for his dismissal.

Those supporters will seemingly get their wish now and see just how good – or bad – they had it with Pardew in charge, when Mike Ashley brings in his replacement.

Here, we have identified five possible candidates to succeed Pardew on Tyneside.
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Click on Mike Ashley to reveal FIVE Newcastle United successors if Alan Pardew joins Crystal Palace.

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Tony Pulis 

Tony Pulis performed heroics last season in keeping Crystal Palace in the Premier League and would surely relish the move to a big club in the top flight.

His style of football may be something of an issue however, given the way in which Sam Allardyce was forced out of Newcastle during the 2007/08 season having arrived with a similar reputation to Pulis.

But the former Stoke and Palace boss is proven at Premier League level and is currently unattached to a club having walked out on the South London side on the eve of the new Premier League season.

Gianfranco Zola 

The anti-Pulis in many ways, Gianfranco Zola has a reputation for wanting the beautiful game played in the right way. He was unfortunate with injuries during his spell in charge of West Ham United and has since bounced back with a relatively successful spell in charge of Watford.

Zola is considered one of the nicest men in football – something that could become a problem given the Newcastle job is traditionally one of the most demanding in the country.

But a run of good results and a good style of football would surely see the supporters get behind him given he is already respected for being one of the best foreign imports the Premier League has seen.

Steve Bruce

Steve Bruce has consistently been linked with the Newcastle job down the years and now that Hull City appear to be struggling to avoid relegation under his stewardship this season, now may finally be the time.

Bruce was a candidate for manager of the year in 2013/14, helping Hull to a mid-table finish and an FA Cup Final. Whilst it has been a different story so far this season, Bruce is a Newcastle local and a childhood supporter. Whether he is the big name the supporters are after is another story entirely but Mike Ashley may see him as the safe pair of hands.

Tim Sherwood

He may have lasted less than six months as Tottenham boss but Tim Sherwood made an impression on the Premier League with his passion and brutal honesty.

He is another manager currently unattached and would represent perhaps the most affordable option for Mike Ashley. He was unfortunate to be dismissed from his position as Tottenham boss at the end of last season, having achieved the best win percentage of any Spurs manager in the Premier League era.

Sherwood may well be something of a gamble but his passion is something you could see going down favourably with Newcastle supporters – as long as positive results follow.

Eddie Howe 

One of the countries’ brightest young managers, Eddie Howe has worked wonders in guiding AFC Bournemouth to the top of the Championship with a free flowing passing style of attacking football.

Howe is sure to be snapped up sooner rather than later by one of the big boys but whether Mike Ashley would entrust such a big job to a rookie manager is unlikely.

An outsiders bet though – and someone with more managerial experience than bookies favourite Fabricio Coloccini!