Pardew touted as favourite for Norwich City job

Alan Pardew is being touted as the favourite to take over as Norwich City manager after Alex Neil was sacked by the Championship club.

South Londoner Pardew, who has played for and managed Crystal Palace and Charlton and had a spell in charge at West Ham, has been out of work since being sacked by Palace in December.

Neil, 35, was shown the door by Norwich following a run of five matches without a win.

The Sun say Pardew is the “red-hot favourite” to take over at Carrow Road and has edged ahead of former Birmingham manager Gary Rowett in the running.

The Canaries were relegated last season and are currently nine points adrift of the Championship play-off places.

A Norwich statement read: “The board has taken the tough but unanimous decision, believing it is in the best interests of the club for a new manager to be in place through a crucial summer transfer window and into next season.

“The directors would like to place on record their sincere gratitude to Alex for all of his hard work and for the fantastic achievement of guiding us to the Premier League in 2015, via a memorable play-off final success against Middlesbrough at Wembley.

“Through tough seasons last year in the Premier League and this year in the Championship, Alex has always given his all to the club and we wish him every success in his future career.”