Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper is pleased Alan Pardew has penned a new deal.

Harper backs the long-term, eight-year agreement.

He said: "I think all the lads were pleased to hear the news.

"I've often said the club is a roller-coaster, but this hopefully gives us a long period of ­stability and ultimately success with a trophy or two.

"I've had too many ­managers. I think I must have called about 40 people gaffer at one time or another!

"The amount of managerial changes has been far too many.

"It's never a quick fix, it actually causes turmoil, so this ­decision shows some vision and that the club have a road map of where they want to be.

"As a manager, Alan Pardew is very, very thorough. His man management is very good, he's tactically very aware.

"They are a powerful group, the 'Geordie Nation', and he's won them over the right way with results on the pitch.

"They've really taken to him and hopefully, ultimately going forward, he'll be the man who brings us silverware, even if I don't see it. I don't think I'll still be playing when I'm 45."