Alan Pardew: West Brom break clause 'not true'
Beleaguered boss Alan Pardew concedes relegation to the Championship is what probably awaits Albion – but denied he has a break clause in his contract.
The Baggies are 10 points from Premier League safety after a 2-1 loss at Bournemouth.
There is seven games left of this season and when asked if relegation is all but confirmed, Pardew said: “If you look at our record since the start of the year, you would have to say yes.
“Of course, we have to keep battling on.
“I think anybody that was (at Bournemouth), even our harshest critic, would say there was good belief in the team, to try to get the victory.
“That performance could easily have been a win but unfortunately for us it wasn’t.”
There were chants of ‘Pardew out’ following the final whistle at the Vitality Stadium.
A lot of supporters want him gone but Pardew is believed to be in line to receive less compensation if removed at the end of the season due to a break clause in his deal, or once relegation is confirmed.
When asked about the clause, though, a defiant Pardew replied: “That’s not true actually.”
Pardew has won just one of his 17 league games in charge of Albion.
He met with the club’s hierarchy, chief executive Mark Jenkins and direct of football administration Richard Garlick, last week for clear-the-air talks.
On his future, if he is the man to continue at the helm next term, Pardew said: “I get asked it every week.
“Unfortunately when you’re losing every week it makes it more and more difficult.
“Of course I’m under contract here for another two years and I’ve got to keep fighting.”
Pardew has managed Reading, West Ham, Charlton, Southampton, Newcastle and Crystal Palace in the past.
The 56-year-old has left the Baggies at an impasse with his refusal to resign.
He reiterated his refusal to walk away from The Hawthorns, adding: “I keep saying to my players we’ve got to keep fighting and show pride in what you do.
“That’s what I’m going to do until such time I’m told not to.”
Albion’s next game is at home against Burnley on March 31. Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham are among the other teams they still have to take on again.
