Southampton Football Club appointed Alan Pardew as first team manager on July 17th 2009.

The 48-year old Londoner signed a three season deal keeping his at St. Mary's until the conclusion of the 2011/12 season.

Pardew's wide-ranging skills, both as a player and a coach, have seen him win promotion on three separate occasions and this experience marked him out as the man to lead the Saints into their first season in League One.

New owner Markus Liebherr's executive team acted fast following the departure of Dutchman Mark Wotte and have put their faith in Pardew's knowledge of the domestic game as the key to Saints future success.

With over a decade of managerial experience under his belt, Pardew began his playing career as a midfielder, making a name for himself with Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic.

His move to Reading in 1997 with then boss Tony Bullivant opened the door to his coaching career and the Royals became his first full-time post in 1999.

With discipline and fitness both key parts of his ethos, Pardew guided the Berkshire side to the Divison Two play-off final, but was forced to wait a further season before winning automatic promotion.

His managerial credentials were then further boosted by Reading's impressive performance in Divison One where they secured a play-off place once again at the first time of asking.

With his name now synonymous with success, a return to his London roots soon beckoned and a three year spell at West Ham saw the Hammers gain promotion to the Premier League and reach the 2006 FA Cup final.

Pardew then joined top-flight strugglers Charlton Athletic in December that year, but was unable to help them overcome their woeful start to the season, eventually departing by mutual consent in November 2008.

Prior to joining Southampton, Pardew enjoyed a spell away from the touchline working as a media pundit before accepting Southampton owner Markus Liebherr's invitation to join the new era at St. Mary's.