Controversial former Reading manager Alan Pardew has been discussing his 2004 move to West Ham, citing the decision as 'a tough call.'

62-year-old Pardew goes down as one of the best Royals managers in history, winning promotion from the third tier and reaching the Championship play-offs the following season.

Earning a reputation as an exciting, up-and-coming manager, relegated West Ham came calling 21 years ago and despite an approach being rejected by owner Sir John Madejski, Pardew quit and joined the Hammers after a court battle.

Now a generally disliked figure among Royals supporters for his exit, the former Crystal Palace defender enjoyed a near-decade-long spell in the Premier League.

Speaking on the subject of young managers leaving clubs, in relation to Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna, Pardew recounted his experience in Berkshire.

"When I was Reading manager and the up-and-coming manager of the time, I was flying at Reading," he said on TalkSPORT. "Sir John Madejski gave me the job because he had faith in me as the reserve team manager. I take his team to promotion and the top of the Championship, albeit for a brief period, and then I go to West Ham.

"His last conversation with me was ‘You might have done this deal to West Ham, but can you show the loyalty back to me that I showed in giving you the job in the first place?’ I was super ambitious at the time and West Ham had turned my head financially and I left.

"In hindsight, I felt bad. I did it because it was West Ham, but the financial part of it was relevant because it was significantly more than what Reading were paying. When I went to see him at the last moment, he was in tears, and I was emotional as well. It was a tough call.

"I’m still glad I did the move but there is part of me, when you talk about loyalty, that’s when it’s on you a little bit."

Winning promotion to the Premiership with West Ham, Pardew also took the Irons to the 2006 FA Cup Final.