EPL News: Premier League Defender Favourite to Replace Alan Pardew as Newcastle Manager

With Crystal Palace on the verge of acquiring Alan Pardew's services for the managerial position, Newcastle United seem to be more than eager to replace Pardew with their present captain, Fabricio Coloccini.

Pardew's fallout with Newcastle United became more evident when he decided to exclude himself from the post match conference after his team put up an impressive performance against Everton, which they won 3-2.

Pardew had been a frustrated soul for a long time, as he does not have a major say in transfers. Pardew had been told earlier during the month that the club would not be offering funds to bolster the squad in January. Maybe, this could well have been the final straw for Pardew, who is on the brink of replacing Neil Warnock as manager of Crystal Palace.

Pardew is said to have made it clear to the club owner Mike Ashley about his desire to join former club Crystal Palace.

Widespread reports in the UK, have claimed both the clubs (Newcastle and Crystal Palace) have agreed on a compensation package which will allow Pardew to take over at the relegation-threatened club.

Hence, a number of names have been linked to Newcastle, which includes the likes of Tony Pulis, former Stoke City and Crystal Palace manager, Steve Bruce, the current Hull City manager, Tim Sherwood, former Tottenham manager and Frank de Boer, the current Ajax boss.

But, Mike Ashley already seems to have set sight on his captain, Coloccini, according to the Independent, which might be a wise choice, as the player knows the present crop of players in and out. If Coloccini's appointment materialises, he is going to be the seventh manger under the reign of Mike Ashley.

However, there are several former players, such as Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher who were questioning the Coloccini being linked with the Newcastle job.

Irrespective of what other players think, this deal might soon be finalised, especially with Coloccini's close association with the club and more importantly, Newcastle owner Ashley. The Argentine joined the club in 2008 from Deportiva La Coruna.

There was a time, when the centre-back was close to leaving Newcastle United in 2013, but a move back to Argentina did not materialise and he stayed put. Ashley played an important role in keeping the player in Newcastle.

With the number of Newcastle fans expressing their displeasure with Pardew in the recent past, Ashley was also coming under pressure to react. These fans will probably be a happier lot when Pardew joining Crystal Palace becomes official.

But still, the question remains as to what positive changes Coloccini can bring to the Magpies, who lie on 10^th place in the Premier League table. It will be a major achievement, if under Coloccini, Newcastle United improve from their present position.