Alan Pardew has previous for getting into fisticuffs and wars of words on the touchline.

However, his previous altercations have involved other managers rather than players.

His actions on Saturday, where he aimed a headbutt at Hull City's David Meyler, crossed the line.

But he is not the first manager or coach to attack a player during a match...

Delio Rossi v Adem Ljajic 

In May 2012, then-Fiorentina manager Delio Rossi lashed out at his midfielder Adem Ljajic.

Currently at Roma, the Serbian player sarcastically applauded Rossi as he was substituted, which sent his manager into an apoplectic rage.

What followed shocked everyone in the stadium as well as Rossi's employers, who sacked him as a result...

Paolo Di Canio vs Leon Clarke

A year earlier at Swindon, the ever-controversial Paolo Di Canio and on loan striker Leon Clarke had to be separated in the tunnel after the latter had been involved in a heated argument with the club's fitness coach...

That was pretty tame compared to Rossi's actions. But coach aggression towards players is not confined to soccer of course.

Woody Hayes vs Charlie Baunum

Former college football coach Woody Hayes saw his career come to an end after punching opposing player Charlie Baunum on the sideline during the 1978 Gator Bowl...

It was not the first time that the Hall of Fame college coach was involved in a serious confrontation. But punching a player proved to be the straw that broke the camel's back.

Don Zimmer vs Pedro Martinez

In 2003, a heated American League Championship series match between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox descended into carnage.

It saw Yankees' 72-year-old coach Don Zimmer run at the Red Sox' Pedro Martinez during a brawl...