CHARLTON have appointed Alan Pardew as their third manager of the season after Les Reed left the club by mutual consent on Christmas Eve.

Pardew, a former Addicks player who was sacked by West Ham earlier this month, has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal at The Valley. His first match in charge will be Wednesday's London derby with Fulham.

Reed had suffered six defeats in eight games since taking over from Iain Dowie who was sacked in the middle of last month.

Charlton chairman Richard Murray said: "We are very fortunate a manager of Alan Pardew's calibre is available and we have moved very, very quickly to secure his services."

Reed lasted just 41 days in charge - one of the shortest ever Premiership reigns.

Pardew was previously in charge at Reading and led them into the League's second tier five years ago.

Reading made it to the play-offs for promotion to the Premiership the following season but failed to go up and early on in the next campaign he moved to Upton Park.