Alan Pardew sympathises with Andre Villas-Boas

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has revealed that he feels sorry for sacked Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas.

The Portuguese coach was relieved of his duties earlier today following yesterday's 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion.

Pardew, whose Newcastle side drew 1-1 with Sunderland this afternoon, told BBC Sport that he knows exactly what Villas-Boas has been dealing with over the past few months.

"I have a lot of sympathy for him because that is a really, really talented coach we have lost in this country," said Pardew. "I know he is from Portugal, but he has had to take on a club there with a lot of senior pros and in the background, probably had a very, very difficult job.

"When you are in a transition year like that - and I have been in it because I was at West Ham when I inherited a lot of senior pros who had just been relegated, and it was very, very difficult."

Pardew took over Newcastle in December 2010.