West Ham United manager Alan Pardew has been rewarded for the Hammers impressive start to the seaason by being awarded a new five-year contract.

“I am delighted to have signed a new long-term contract with West Ham United,” Pardew told the club’s official website.

“I want to thank the chairman, Terry Brown, the board, the staff and most of all the fans for the support I have been given during the last two years.

“We have a young and talented team both on and off the pitch and our ambition in the next five years is to create excitement and a side everyone can be proud of.”

Pardew took charge at Upton Park in October 2003, and took the club to a play-off final defeat against Crystal Palace. Twelve montsh later West Ham overcame Preston in the play-offs to secure a return to the Premiership.

“The first phase was to get us out of The Championship and into the Premier League.

“The second phase was to consolidate our Premiership position and, on that front, progress has already been made.

“The third phase is to take the club forward and achieve success. That does not mean putting a millstone around our necks by saying next year we will set ourselves a target to qualify for Europe or win trophies. But as the belief grows so should our expectations.”

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