Alan Pardew dismisses reports he received bonus after ADO Den Haag avoid relegation

One British newspaper reported that Pardew, who took charge of the Dutch club in December, was due to receive a £100,000 bonus for keeping club up

Alan Pardwew took chaarge of ADO Den Haag in December. PA

Alan Pardew has denied reports that he was set to receive a sizable bonus after ADO Den Haag avoided relegation from the Dutch Eredivisie.

The Royal Dutch Football Association's (KNVB) decision to scrap the season due to the coronavirus outbreak meant ADO Den Haag, who were second bottom, seven points from safety, will survive, having looked likely to be involved in the relegation play-offs.

One British newspaper reported that former Newcastle United and Crystal Palace manager Pardew, who took charge of the Dutch club in December, was due to receive a £100,000 (Dh454,000) bonus.

In a statement on the club's website, however, the 58-year-old Englishman Pardew said: "If I was formally entitled to an amount, I would never want to receive it. In this difficult period, I would always return any bonus to the club, which will certainly find a good destination for it."

Pardew said he wanted the money given to Den Haag's non-playing staff or donated to the Dutch health service.

"I hope this clears up any misunderstandings caused by press reports," he added.

Although he admitted: "Of course there is relief, but modesty is in order. I had the belief that we could accomplish our mission, we were not in good shape and we will never know if we would have succeeded.

"We count our blessings and understand the frustrations at SC Cambuur and De Graafschap," a reference to the two second-tier Dutch clubs who were set to be promoted before the KNVB's decision to scrap promotion and relegation.