Wednesday 14 October 2015 07:17, UK
Alan Pardew is an amazing manager who makes you believe you can reach the top of the game, says the player the Crystal Palace boss once described as his best pound-for-pound signing.
During his time as Reading boss, Pardew agreed a £25,000 deal with Leyton Orient to sign Nicky Shorey, who would go on to make 261 appearances for the Royals and represent England twice.
Shorey went on to play over 400 games across all four divisions and the 34-year-old says Pardew is one of the finest managers he has played under.
"For me, he was an amazing manager and I cannot speak highly enough of him," Shorey told Sky Sports.
"As a youngster coming through he really instilled confidence and belief in me. He made me want to improve and made me think I could play at the very highest level, even if I didn't necessarily believe it myself.
"What he instilled has stayed with me and he's definitely one of the best managers I have worked with. He's a top, top manager and he's proven that over the last few years in the Premier League."
Pardew left Newcastle to take charge of Premier League strugglers Palace, who were relegation candidates when he took the reins at Selhurst Park last January.
But under his stewardship the Eagles soared, eventually finishing 10th and giving Pardew the distinction of becoming the first manager to guide a Premier League side to a top half finish after being in the relegation zone at Christmas.
Palace currently lie fourth in the table ahead of Saturday's visit of West Ham, who former Hammers boss Pardew guided to the FA Cup final in 2006.
"I've been very impressed with what he has done at Palace," Shorey said.
"It wasn't an easy job to come into, particularly when he first took over. Many people would look at going from Newcastle to Palace as a sideways step or maybe even a downward step but he's shown that it has been an upward step.
"Credit to him because from the first moment he went into Palace he's rejuvenated the club. They're a vibrant, young, quick, attacking team who are good to watch with a steely determination at the back as well.
"They've got a great blend there and I think he's done a tremendous job."
Shorey was at Portsmouth last season but is now playing for ex-England international and former Manchester City assistant David Platt at Indian Super League side FC Pune City.
"One of the attractions of coming to India was to work with the gaffer," he said.
"I'm an Arsenal fan and I remember watching him when he played at Highbury and also for England at the Italia '90 World Cup as well.
"He's provided some great memories in English football history and coming to work for him was intriguing, particularly at this age because I'm at that crossover where I'm thinking about going into coaching and management. I really am learning a lot from the gaffer."
