Why would Pardew leave Newcastle for Palace? Former Mapgies star stunned by ‘backwards move’

Keith Gillespie says he is stunned by Alan Pardew’s decision to quit Newcastle for Crystal Palace.

Pardew is ironing out contract details with the Eagles after agreeing to leave St James’ Park to take over the Premier League strugglers.

Speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, former Magpies ace Gillespie said: "Newcastle is a massive job and Alan Pardew is leaving a club who are sitting pretty in the top half to go to a team that are going to be fighting relegation.

"No disrespect to Crystal Palace but Newcastle is a huge, huge club and I'm surprised someone would leave that to join a relegation-threatened team."