OFFICIAL: Crystal Palace appoint Allardyce as new manager

Crystal Palace have appointed Sam Allardyce as their new manager on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

The 62-year-old returns to football management after leaving his position in charge of England in September after he was caught by a newspaper sting apparently stating that he could offer advice on how to circumvent transfer regulations in the Premier League.

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Former Bolton, Blackburn, West Ham and Sunderland boss Allardyce arrives at Selhurst Park as a replacement for Alan Pardew, who was dismissed on Thursday.

Palace are currently 17th in the Premier League, one point above the relegation zone ahead of Allardyce's first game in charge against Watford on Boxing Day.

The London club confirmed the news on their official website, with chairman Steve Parrish delighted with the appointment.

"We are delighted to be able to make an appointment so quickly and fortunate that someone of Sam’s calibre and experience was available," Parrish said.

Pardew was asked to step down by Parish after managing only four wins from 17 Premier League games this season.

The London club are one point above the relegation zone heading into Monday's game with West Brom, highlighting their stark decline in 2016, especially since their FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United.

Allardyce, who steered Sunderland to survival last season, left the England job after he was filmed by undercover reporters apparently claiming he could give advice on how to get around transfer rules in the top flight.

He lasted only 67 days in the role after succeeding Roy Hodgson, with an injury-time goal from Adam Lallana giving his side a 1-0 victory over Slovakia in Allardyce's one match in charge.