Sam Allardyce replaces Alan Pardew as Crystal Palace manager

Sam (L) and Pardew (R)

Crystal Palace have appointed former England boss Sam Allardyce as manager on a two-and-a-half-year deal, a day after sacking Alan Pardew. Pardew was sacked on Thursday with the club 17th in the Premier League after a run of one win in 11 games. Chairman Steve Parish said the club was "fortunate that someone of Sam's calibre and experience was available".
Allardyce has been out of work since losing the England job after 67 days, in the wake of a newspaper sting. The 62-year-old will take training on Saturday, before Palace's Boxing Day game at Watford.
"You generally get a new job because there are difficulties at a club," Allardyce told Crystal Palace's website.
"I have to sort those difficulties out, hopefully with my experience, and try to get a few more results on the board, particularly over Christmas and New Year, to make everybody feel more comfortable."