Former Reading FC manager Alan Pardew has spoken about his controversial departure from the Royals in 2003.Pardew began his managerial career at Berkshire, first as a referee before becoming full-time manager in 1999.He spent four years at Reading and despite being in Pardew’s team in 2000/2001. beaten in the second division final, redeemed itself with automatic promotion to the first division the following year.Pardew’s tenure ended with Wolves losing in the 2002/03 play-off semi-finals.After Pardew was refused permission to speak to West Ham United at the start of the 2003/04 season, he resigned as manager and later joined the Hammers following a legal dispute.Speaking on TalkSport, Pardew said: “When I was manager of Reading and an emerging manager at the time, I was flying at Reading.”Sir John Madejski gave me the job because he believed in me as a back-up. team leader”I will take his team to the top of promotion and the Championship, albeit for a short time, and then I will go to West Ham.”Pardew enjoyed a successful managerial career with three years in charge of West Ham, followed by spells at Charlton Athletic, Southampton, Newcastle, Crystal Palace and West Brom.He continued: “The last conversation he (Madejski) had with me was: ‘You may have done this deal for West Ham, but can you show me the loyalty I showed in giving you the job ?”\ n “I was very ambitious at the time and West Ham turned their head financially and I left.“Looking back, I felt bad. I did it because it was West Ham, but the financial part of it was important because it was significantly more than what Reading paid.”When I went to see him at the last minute, he was crying and I was emotional too. It was a tough call.”Pardew led West Ham to the FA Cup final in 2006 where they beat Liverpool in a thrilling final.Later in his career, he again reached the FA Cup final with Crystal Palace, losing to Manchester United in the 2016 final..