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Alan Pardew: I feared for my future at Newcastle after headbutt incident
NEWCASTLE boss Alan Pardew has admitted he feared for his future at Newcastle after headbutting Hull City's David Meyler.
Pardew was handed a three-match stadium ban and a further four-match suspension from the touchline earlier this week after admitting a misconduct charge.
The Football Association also fined him £60,000, on top of the £100,000 punishment by his club within hours of the incident on March 1.
But the 52-year-old tactician has revealed his relief at not getting the sack for the headbutt.
Asked if he had feared for his job, Pardew said: "You have to. When you are in the public eye, like I am, and an incident like that [happens], you have to fear for your future.
"Of course it's a relief because when you have made a mistake - and men make mistakes - my mistake was in front of millions of people, but you have to pay a price and there was a hefty price to pay.
"Mike acted swiftly and I accepted that, and we go forward. I have to say that in this interim period since the incident, the backing I have had from the club in particular has been a really big help to me because obviously, it's been difficult."