Alan Pardew and ADO Den Haag have agreed to part company, bringing an end to the Englishman's five months at the club.
The Eredivisie club confirmed on Tuesday that they had decided to end their association by mutual consent with the former Newcastle United and Crystal Palace manager. Assistant coaches Chris Powell and Paul Butler, whose contracts were also due to expire in June, have also left the club.
Speaking via a club statement, Pardew said: “I would just like to thank everybody at ADO Den Haag for the last months. In particular, a big thanks to the players who gave everything on the pitch. Both Chris and I would like to say a special 'thank you' to [CEO] Mohammed [Hamdi] and major shareholder United Vansen for their support at all times.
“Personally I have a lot of good feelings for this football club. I enjoyed the passion of the fans and look back to a wonderful experience working in Holland. I am sad that my time there has ended and wish them every success in the future.”
Appointed in December with ADO battling relegation, Pardew did not have an immediate impact at the club. Of his eight league matches in charge, his team won only once and were second-bottom when the Eredivisie was halted on March 12 because of the coronavirus.
Last Friday, the Dutch Football Association decided to annul the 2019/20 season, meaning ADO would not be relegated.
In the statement, Hamdi said: “Four months ago, Alan put his neck on the line by taking on the job at ADO Den Haag during a very difficult season for the club. We have a lot of respect for that, which also applies to his track record in football. Due to the coronavirus situation, football could only be played until March 7th, but we thank Alan, Chris and Paul for their efforts. We wish them the best of luck and let them know that they will always be welcome at our club.”
Speaking to The National before the decision to part company was taken, Hamdi had spoken glowingly of Pardew, saying: "What you can see is that Alan is a real professional in his work. He is so experienced and a real gentleman.
“But you can see that also for him, to transfer the atmosphere and the environment from England to the Netherlands, that needs time, and also to adapt to the sports culture, the culture of the club and the Netherlands. And he did everything he could to absorb that as soon as possible. But not only him, his assistant Chris Powell too. They started at the club in the moment that was really difficult sporting-wise, and we had still a long way to go.”
On the rumoured £100,000 (Dh454,000) bonus for surviving relegation that Pardew had reportedly refused, Hamdi confirmed it was in fact €25,000 (Dh99,000), but added: “Of course, if we stayed up there’s a bonus, which Alan already said to me he doesn’t want to have, and if we could give it to a hospital, or a clinic, or someone who needs it. Or the club could use it.
“As I said, Alan Pardew is a real gentleman, but that also he has a great heart. There was no discussion at all. The decision came from himself.”
