When Joe Kinnear was drafted in, Pardew (always a man to voice an opinion) went into hiding for six weeks.
Not a single word from the Newcastle manager, and he had that meeting with Ashley in London, and he must have expected the worst.
As it happens, Pardew received a dressing down from the owner because of United's fight against relegation the previous season, but he kept his job.
Alan Pardew: “All managers want time, but sometimes you’ve got to earn it – that little bit of time – to a degree.
“Maybe I earned it the year before when we finished fifth.
“I had a few rocky times last year, but got the nod to stay on. You never know how close to come as a manager (to the sack).
"You just try and focus on the next result. That’s all I’ve ever done.
“I’ve had many people mention to me that they never expected me to be a manager, let alone manager of Newcastle.
“But I love it here, and it’s going well at the minute. I’m really pleased with the team.”
“I always felt that I had something in me to pass on to others.
“Even then, I was quite a vocal player in the team. I was never captain, as I wasn’t good enough, if I’m honest.
“But when I played, I was a voice on the pitch. I’m still doing that now.”
Saturday December 21
Premier League
12:45 Liverpool v Cardiff City
15:00 Crystal Palace v Newcastle United
15:00 Fulham v Manchester City
15:00 Man Utd v West Ham United
15:00 Stoke City v Aston Villa
15:00 Sunderland v Norwich City
15:00 West Brom v Hull City
Sunday December 22
Premier League
13:30 Southampton v Tottenham
16:00 Swansea City v Everton