Newcastle boss Alan Pardew enjoys his relationship with chairman Mike Ashley.

Ashley is hands-off when it comes to the every day running of Newcastle United, preferring to leave the much-trusted Pardew to get on with things without interfering.

It's a formula that works and it's why the most important relationship at the football club is rock solid.

Pardew revealed to the Sunday Sun: "We don't see much of each other and maybe that's why it works. Derek Llambias is very much between Mike and I, but there is mutual respect there.

"When I meet him I do respect his views because you are shaped by your history. Mike is shaped by his football history because he's had some bad times here at Newcastle.

"But I do push him to get the best possible players to the club.

"He's not on the phone every other day. It's nothing like that. I don't have any contact with him about games and I have to say I really like that about him. He trusts me, he trusts my decision making process.

"He asks me through Derek one or two questions every month - and they are actually good questions. It's different from other chairmen I've had."