Pardew succeeds Chris Hughton, who was dismissed on Monday after 13 months in permanent charge.

The former Republic of Ireland international had previously had three spells as caretaker boss as a succession of managers came and went. Here, Press Association Sport'sDamian Spellman takes a look at the men who have occupied the hot-seat in the last three and a half years.

SAM ALLARDYCE May 2007 - January 2008

Ashley inherited Allardyce, appointed by former chairman Freddy Shepherd as Glenn Roeder's successor, when he bought the club at the end of the 2006-07 season. However, Allardyce, recruited from Bolton for his methodical approach, lasted just eight months as his new employer lost patience with his style of football and results.

KEVIN KEEGAN January 2008 - September 2008

Newcastle thought they had pulled off a major coup when, after missing out on Harry Redknapp, they managed to persuade Keegan to return to the club he had previously served with distinction as both player and manager. But his frustration with the Ashley regime's transfer policy and the looming presence of executive director (football) Dennis Wise led to an irreparable breakdown in the relationship and the former England boss later won a case for constructive dismissal having survived little longer than his predecessor.

JOE KINNEAR September 2008 - April 2009

Kinnear stepped into the breech with a flurry of expletives as Ashley's efforts to land a top target came to nothing. In a colourful, but brief reign, the former Wimbledon boss ruffled a few feathers before suffering a recurrence of his heart problems to leave Hughton to resume the caretaker role he had initially taken on in the wake of Keegan's departure.

ALAN SHEARER April 2009 - May 2009

With the club slipping deeper into relegation trouble, record goalscorer Shearer was drafted in along with number two Iain Dowie in a last-ditch attempt to avoid the drop. However, he managed just one win in his eight games in charge and despite holding initially promising talks over the vacancy, was not invited back.

CHRIS HUGHTON July 2009 - December 2010

Hughton returned to a managerless club for pre-season training and was asked to hold the fort once again. Having made such a good start, he was handed the job on a permanent basis in October last year and promptly rewarded Ashley with the Coca-Cola Championship trophy and promotion, although even a derby rout of Sunderland and victory at Arsenal back in the top flight could not keep him in his job.