London: Newcastle United named Alan Pardew as their 12th manager in the last 13 years on Thursday in place of Chris Hughton who was controversially sacked this week.
The former West Ham United boss signed a five-and-a-half year contract to take on the challenge of restoring the famous Premier League club to former glories.
They have not won a major trophy since 1969 despite appointing a succession of high-profile managers including Bobby Robson, Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, Ruud Gullit, Joe Kinnear and Alan Shearer.
"It's a massive club and I am privileged to be here," Pardew told a news conference.
"It is fairly obvious that the players and the fans had great respect for Chris Hughton and the fact that he has gone has caused quite a stir and some people are upset about it.
"The problem I am going to have initially is the players and making sure I get my message across quickly and with clarity."
Pardew, a journeyman player who spent most of his career with Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic, has enjoyed mixed fortunes as a manager after building his reputation at Reading, who he led to promotion to the Championship (second division).
He guided West Ham up to the Premier League in 2005 and to the FA Cup final the following season, which they lost in a penalty shootout to Liverpool.
Pardew was sacked following a poor start to the 2006-07 campaign and his next club Charlton were relegated from the Premier League that same season.
His most recent managerial job was at League One (third division) Southampton where he was sacked in August amid reports of conflicts behind the scenes.
REVIVING FORTUNES
Hughton lasted only 14 months after being appointed full-time manager in October 2009.
He led Newcastle out of the Championship (second division) last season and made a solid start to life in the Premier League where they lie 12th and his dismissal caused surprise and disappointment among the majority of the club's fans.
"I know the fans are frustrated," the 49-year-old Pardew said. "They probably thought they had some stability with Chris and that has gone.
"With the record of managers they have had here, it does not bode well, but I have tried to get in that contract a situation that they have to show faith in me.
"I have had a lot of texts from managers saying 'you must be mad going there', but I would never be able to live with myself if I did not take that challenge on."
Pardew's first match in charge will be against Liverpool at St James' Park on Saturday.
"I don't think I am going to win a PR battle; the battles I need to win are on the pitch," he said.
Newcastle have not won a top-flight league title since 1927.
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