Pardew in as Reed quits

Career-coach Reed, 53, was a surprise appointment as Charlton boss, having never managed a professional club before.

He was brought in soon after Dowie - who had only joined the South London club in the summer after a controversial move from Crystal Palace that their chairman Simon Jordan is still contesting - left by mutual consent after their worst start to a Premiership season in several years left them propping up the table.

Now lying second-bottom, Reed has fared no better and their lowest ebb was reached when they were knocked out of the Carling Cup by lower-league Wycombe last week.

Reed's appointment was met with bewilderment by many Charlton fans, who had been calling for the return of former boss Alan Curbishley, who then joined West Ham after Pardew himself was harshly sacked by the East Enders' new owners.

Pardew is expected to sign-on in time for Charlton's match against Fulham on December 27th.