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Alan Pardew will be a shock contender for the West Ham manager’s job – if they sack Sam Allardyce.

The Newcastle boss is a close friend of Hammers co-owner David Gold and was in charge of the Hammers from 2003 until 2006 under a previous regime. Pardew’s family home is still in London.

After yesterday’s defeat, Allardyce said: “The players have to realise it’s now about results, not performances.

“There are 16 games to go and, at least now, we have good players coming back from injury.”

West Ham’s co-owners Gold and David Sullivan are keen to back Allardyce, as they would have to pay him £4million in compensation if they fire him.