Newcastle stays in Premier League, Allardyce leaves West Ham

NEWCASTLE, England (AP) Newcastle secured its Premier League status with a 2-0 victory on Sunday over West Ham, which announced the departure of manager Sam Allardyce after the final game of the season.

Moussa Sissoko and Jonas Gutierrez scored second-half goals for Newcastle, whose victory contributed to Hull taking the final relegation place.

Allardyce's exit from West Ham after four years in charge had been anticipated, and confirmation that he wouldn't get a new contract came straight after the final whistle.

West Ham's joint owners, David Gold and David Sullivan, said the club wanted a ''new manager with a new philosophy to lead us into two of the most exciting years in our great club's history.'' West Ham is scheduled to take up tenancy of London's Olympic Stadium for the start of 2016.

''We have already been impressed with the quality of candidates that have expressed an interest in the role,'' Gold and Sullivan said in a statement, ''and fully expect to appoint a manager with the credentials to take this club on to new heights.''

Allardyce was told to make West Ham's style of play more entertaining this season, and he responded by guiding the club to third place in the standings just before Christmas on the back of a positive brand of football. However, West Ham tailed off in the second half of the season and finished in 12th place.

''I think it's right for both the club and myself,'' Allardyce said.

''To stabilize it for the big move to the new stadium is what I've done. I've delivered everything that's been asked of me, I've enjoyed doing it. We've built the team to get stronger and stronger, even though we're disappointed with the last quarter of the season.''

Former West Ham defender Slaven Bilic and ex-Manchester United manager David Moyes are among those linked with replacing Allardyce.

Gutierrez signed off from his Newcastle career in style by clinching the team's first victory in three months, which eased its relegation fears.

The 31-year-old Argentine, playing his final game for the club after recovering from testicular cancer, had already set up Sissoko for the opening goal in the 54th when he drilled home a second with five minutes of the game remaining.

The victory came on the day Newcastle owner Mike Ashley gave a rare television interview, in which he insisted he would not sell the club until it had won something under him. Ashley has been criticized by Newcastle fans for his alleged lack of ambition and investment in the team.

''We have to invest, Mike has said that and that is encouraging,'' said John Carver, who has been Newcastle's caretaker manager since Alan Pardew left the club in January.

''I want a summer where I can bring in the players I want. Today has given me more enthusiasm to do what I want to do . I still want this job, I love this club.''