Newcastle appoint Pardew as coach

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A Pakistani policeman reprimands Islamic cleric Hafiz Mohammed Khalid Chishti after he attempted to shout slogans upon his arrival at a court in Islamabad Sunday.

NEWCASTLE, Dec 9 (AFP): Former West Ham boss Alan Pardew was Thursday appointed the new coach of Newcastle, the Premier League club announced.
Pardew succeeds Chris Hughton, who was dismissed Monday in the wake of last weekend's 3-1 loss to West Bromwich Albion which left the Magpies in 11th place in the table, four points above the relegation zone.
Pardew's first match in charge is a home fixture against Liverpool Saturday.
The 49-year-old was the bookmakers' -- if not the fans' -- favourite to take over the St James' Park hotseat and he becomes Newcastle's ninth permanent manager in the last six years.
Hughton, 51, was axed by owner Mike Ashley despite having led the north-east outfit to promotion from the second-tier Championship last season.