ALAN PARDEW has labelled Dutch footballers as “needy” following his departure from ADO Den Haag last week.
The 58-year-old was appointed in December, tasked with keeping his new side in the Eredivisie.
Pardew has hit out at Den Haag stars after leaving the club just four months after taking overCredit: EPA
But after just one win in eight games at the helm, things were looking bleak for Pardew and assistant Chris Powell.
The English duo were offered a reprieve, however, when the Dutch season was declared null and void – sparing Den Haag relegation.
While maintaining that he and Powell did improve their struggling side, Pardew insisted that his players were too “needy” in their preparations for games.
He told Sky Sports: “Chris Powell came with me, who was absolutely superb. And we formed a good team.
“I thought the team responded well. We definitely improved them, but results were hard to come by.
“Some of the teams were very, very good. There was a good standard there, and I think four or five of those could easily compete in the Premier League.”
I don’t want to give a stereotypical view of them, but they are needy in terms of wanting to know exactly what the game plan is, what their role is, that information.
Alan Pardew on Dutch footballers
On his players, however, he later continued: “I experienced great professionalism in Dutch football. I don’t want to give a stereotypical view of them, but they are needy in terms of wanting to know exactly what the game plan is, what their role is, that information.
“They think about the game, and possibly too much at times, and could show a bit more freedom in their play.”
Den Haag were in deep relegation trouble sitting seven points from safety with nine games left to play before the season was voided.
Despite this fortune, Pardew believes that the KNVB made the wrong decision.
He admitted: “I thought the Dutch decision was a decision that went in our favour of course. We were seven points behind, with nine games to go, which wasn’t impossible.
“The championship was much simpler because Ajax and AZ were pretty much level. I think AZ were the better side and might have won it, but it was easier because they didn’t have to crown a champion, so they could call it null and void.
“I thought the decision not to promote was wrong. I thought they should have promoted two from the second division, because the Eredivisie is a small league of 18 teams.”
Pardew was joined by Chris Powell in charge of the Dutch club and were spared relegation by the coronavirus shutdownCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Having departed by mutual consent, Pardew now holds an ignominious record.
The former Crystal Palace and West Brom boss’ last three league wins have come in three separate calendar years.
A 2016 triumph with the Eagles, a solitary Baggies victory in 2018 – and his one and only Dutch win in his opening game in charge of Den Haag.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
