Alan Pardew signs eight-year deal at Newcastle United

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew (GETTY IMAGES)

Alan Pardew and his backroom staff at Newcastle United yesterday signed eight-year contracts that will keep them with the club until 2020. The length of the new deals, effectively four-year extensions for the manager, Pardew, and his No 2 John Carver, are the longest currently in the Premier League.

Derek Llambias, Newcastle's managing director, highlighted the need for stability as a major factor in the length of the contracts. He said: "If you look at clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger have shown that stability gives you the best platform to achieve success and that is the model we wish to emulate here.

"We're looking to build on the success we had last season and these contracts are aimed at keeping the club progressing on and off the pitch, as we have done since returning to the Premier League in 2010. Alan has done a fantastic job over the last couple of years and has proved what a great manager he is."

Pardew took over from Chris Hughton in December 2010, and after consolidating Newcastle's return to the Premier League, helped lead the side to a fifth-placed finish last season.

First-team coach Steve Stone and goalkeeping coach Andy Woodman were also given deals that will run until 2020. Graham Carr, the chief scout, signed an eight-year contract earlier this year.