Alan Pardew makes stunning return to football as technical director at Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia
ALAN PARDEW has made another stunning return to football – as technical director of Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia.
Pardew, 59, left his role as head coach of Dutch outfit Den Haag when the Eredivisie season was cancelled in April after the coronavirus outbreak.
And now, after managing eight teams during his career including Newcastle, West Ham and Crystal Palace, he takes his first director of football role.
In a club statement, CSKA Sofia said: “English football specialist Alan Pardew will henceforth be part of the big red family of the Army.
“He will help with his vast experience and contacts in the overall development of the club and attracting players to the representative team.
“The Briton has already signed his personal contract and started working immediately.”
CSKA Sofia, where Dimitar Berbatov began his illustrious career, have won a record 31 Bulgarian titles, but are without one since 2007/08,
They are currently third in the Bulgarian top-flight after 12 games
But, having finished 2nd last season, they qualified for the Europa League, and subsequently managed to make it to the group stages.
They have so far picked up one point from three games in a group that contains AS Roma, CFR Cluj and Young Boys after earning a 0-0 draw with this Italian giants.
Their squad also contains players with experience of English football, including Watford loanees Jerome Sinclair and Adalberto Penaranda, as well as Plymouth Argyle legend Graham Carey.
Barcelona icon Hristo Stoichkov is among the club's shareholders.
Pardew exclusively revealed his desire to return to management in a column for SunSport back in September.
He wrote: "I’m itching to get back into management.
I don’t wish any misfortune on managers, but I’m as ambitious and ready as ever to get back and working again in the game."
Pardew's most recent job in English football was a brief spell as West Brom boss in the 2017-18 season.
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