Tony Pulis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tony Pulis
Personal information
Full name Anthony Richard Pulis
Date of birth January 16, 1958 (1958-01-16) (age 50)
Place of birth    Newport, Wales
Playing position Central defender (retired)
Club information
Current club Stoke City (Manager)
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1975–1981
1981–1982
1982–1984
1984–1986
1986–1989
1989–1990
1990–1992		 Bristol Rovers
Happy Valley
Bristol Rovers
Newport County
AFC Bournemouth
Gillingham
AFC Bournemouth		 85 (3)
0? (?)
45 (2)
77 (0)
72 (3)
16 (0)
16 (1)   
Teams managed
1992–1994
1995–1999
1999–2000
2000
2002–2005
2005–2006
2006–		 AFC Bournemouth
Gillingham
Bristol City
Portsmouth
Stoke City
Plymouth Argyle
Stoke City

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only.
* Appearances (Goals)

Anthony Richard "Tony" Pulis (born January 16, 1958 in Newport) is a Welsh former football player and is currently the manager of Stoke City.[1] Pulis obtained his FA coaching badge at the age of 19, followed by his UEFA 'A' licence aged 21 - making him one of the youngest professional players ever to have obtained the qualification.[2]

Pulis took his first steps into management at Bournemouth, where he was a player/coach and then Harry Redknapp's assistant.[2] He then took control when Redknapp left the club.[2] His most significant achievement to date was guiding Stoke City to the Premier League in the 2007-08 season by finishing runners-up in the Football League Championship.

Pulis has a reputation within the game for achieving solid results on small budgets and also maintains the proud record of never being relegated as a manager.[2] He is sometimes criticised for using an overly negative and direct style of play; however, Pulis has defended his approach.[3] Some refer to this approach as 'binary football'.[citation needed]

Contents

[edit] Managerial career

[edit] Bournemouth

Pulis finished his playing career at Bournemouth, where he assumed a player/coach role.[2] He made 16 appearances, scoring one goal, while in this role. He was promoted to the position of manager in 1992, following Harry Redknapp's decision to leave the club for Premier League side West Ham United. Pulis spent two seasons (1992–93 and 1993–94) at Bournemouth, before moving on.[2]

[edit] Gillingham

He then moved to Gillingham,[2] whom he managed for a further four seasons, turning a team that had struggled at the very bottom of the Football League into a promotion winning one in his first season, and laying the foundations for the club's eventual elevation to the First Division for the first time in their history. In the 1999 Division Two play-off final the Gills were 2–0 up with less than two minutes left, following goals by the prolific partnership of Robert Taylor and Carl Asaba, only to see Manchester City score twice, the equaliser in injury time, and after that win a penalty shoot-out 3–1.[4] Following the defeat, Pulis was controversially sacked by the club amidst claims of gross misconduct.[2] He later brought a £400,000 court case against Gillingham for unpaid bonuses,[5] which was settled out of court in 2001 for £75,000.[6]

[edit] Bristol City

Pulis was appointed manager of Bristol City in July 1999, prior to the start of the 1999–2000 season.[7] A previous long stint at bitter rivals Bristol Rovers meant that Pulis' appointment was met with mixed reception. He made several reasonably big purchases including Steve Jones and former Rovers player Peter Beadle, but his unpopularity hit an all time low only six months into his term as manager and when rumours surfaced of a switch to Portsmouth, home fans chanted for him to leave.[8] He moved on to Portsmouth shortly, where Milan Mandarić had recently taken over as chairman.

On his return to Ashton Gate seven years later (with Stoke City) he was severely abused by the home fans. After the game, Pulis wound home fans up further by saying it "felt good to bring a team back wearing blue" (Bristol Rovers' colours).[9]

Many fans polls and forums have listed him as the most unpopular Bristol City manager of the current generation.[10][11][12]

[edit] Portsmouth

In January 2000, he left Bristol City to become manager of Portsmouth.[13][14] Neither was he a success at Fratton Park, lasting only 10 months in the job before being replaced by Steve Claridge in October 2000.[2][15][16]

[edit] Stoke City

He was then out of work for two years, before the resignation of Stoke's manager Steve Cotterill early into the 2002–03 season led to Pulis being given the job that November.[17] Pulis immediately found himself in a relegation battle and it looked likely that the club would be relegated back to Division One, only a year after being promoted. However, Pulis completed the signings of striker Ade Akinbiyi[18] and goalkeeper Mark Crossley,[19] on loan from Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough respectively, who helped turn around the club's bad run. Stoke avoided relegation on the final day of the 2002–03 season with a 1–0 win over Reading at the Britannia Stadium, with Akinbiyi scoring the only goal of the game.[20] In the following season, 2003–04 , Pulis guided the club to an 11th place finish.[21]

Tensions grew between the manager and chairmain, Gunnar Gislason, in the 2004–05 season. Pulis was frustrated with his lack of transfer funds which led to Dave Brammer and Steve Simonsen, both of whom were free agents, being his only significant signings prior to the start of the season. However, Pulis did add Anthony Pulis, his son, and Lewis Buxton to his squad in January 2005.[22][23] The disagreement between Pulis and the club's Icelandic ownership culminated with Pulis parting company with the club on June 28, 2005. He was sacked for "failing to exploit the foreign transfer market" by then Stoke chairman Gislason.[24] Following his dismissal, Pulis bemoaned the club's decision to sell Ade Akinbiyi to Championship rivals Burnley, stating: "We sold our top scorer and never replaced him."[25] Dutch manager Johan Boskamp was named as Pulis' successor on 29 June 2005, only a day after Pulis was sacked.[26]

[edit] Plymouth Argyle

After taking over as manager at Championship side Plymouth Argyle,[27] Pulis managed to turn around a floundering team, to one that with the right investment could challenge for a top half/play off place in 2006-07. The turn-around coincided with the loan of West Ham United central defender Elliott Ward[28] and the club improved even further with the permanent signing of Lilian Nalis from Sheffield United F.C.[29] Plymouth Argyle ended the season 14th in the Championship table.[30]

[edit] Second spell at Stoke City

In May 2006 he was the subject of an approach from former club Stoke,[31] who had recently parted company with manager Johan Boskamp, following Peter Coates' takeover of the club. Plymouth reportedly turned down this approach.[32] However, on June 14, 2006 it was announced that Pulis would indeed be returning as manager of Stoke City.[1]

Pulis bolstered his squad for the 2006–07 with the permanent additions of Danny Higginbotham,[33] Ricardo Fuller[34] and Vincent Pericard.[35] His most notable coup was the loan signing of Lee Hendrie from Aston Villa.[36][37] Hendrie's arrival (along with the loan signings of Salif Diao,[38] Andy Griffin[39] and Rory Delap[40]) coincided with a change of form for the Potters following a poor start to the a season.[41] Stoke went as high as 4th in the table prior to the January transfer window.[42]

Pulis was named manager of the month for April 2007, after Stoke picked up eleven points from five league games.[43] This unbeaten run lifted Stoke to 7th in the table, on equal points with sixth-place Southampton.[44] However, a 1–1 draw against QPR on the final day of the season[45] led to Stoke finishing eighth in the Championship.[46] Pulis sold several key players prior to the 2007–08 season; club captain Danny Higginbotham was one of a number of players to depart, joining Sunderland for £3m.[47] However, Pulis utilised the loan market again, signing five players on loan, including Ryan Shawcross from Manchester United.[48] Pulis guided Stoke City to promotion to the Premier League on the final day of the season. It will be Stoke's first top flight campaign in 23 years.

[edit] Managerial stats

Team Nat From To Record
G W L D Win %
Bournemouth Flag of England June 9, 1992 August 5, 1994 107 31 38 38 28.97
Gillingham Flag of England July 31, 1995 July 1, 1999 216 94 60 62 43.51
Bristol City Flag of England July 5, 1999 January 14, 2000 33 10 9 14 30.30
Portsmouth Flag of England January 13, 2000 October 12, 2000 35 11 14 10 31.42
Stoke City Flag of England November 1, 2002 June 28, 2005 131 47 52 32 35.87
Plymouth Argyle Flag of England September 23, 2005 June 14, 2006 39 12 12 15 30.76
Stoke City Flag of England June 15, 2006 Present 98 41 23 34 41.83

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Pulis confirmed as Stoke manager. BBC Sport.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Who is Tony Pulis?.
  3. ^ Pulis stands by management style. BBC Sport.
  4. ^ Play-Off Finals. The Football League. Retrieved on 2007-04-11.
  5. ^ Pulis given Pompey 'leave'. BBC Sport.
  6. ^ End of ills for Gills.
  7. ^ PAST MANAGERS. www.bcfc.premiumtv.co.uk.
  8. ^ Evening Post - Pulis in for tough ride. www.thisisbristol.co.uk.
  9. ^ Evening Post - Pulis thankful for 'thick skin'. www.thisisbristol.co.uk.
  10. ^ Bristol City Fans Forum - Pulis to run the gauntlet. www.otib.co.uk.
  11. ^ Bristol City Fans Forum - Pulis and his 'warm' welcome. www.otib.co.uk.
  12. ^ Youtube - Pulis getting booed. www.youtube.com.
  13. ^ Portsmouth FC history. rivals.net.
  14. ^ The Mandaric Years. vitalfootball.co.uk.
  15. ^ Pulis will fight misconduct charge.
  16. ^ Pulis sacked by Pompey.
  17. ^ The right man for Stoke?.
  18. ^ Stoke pin hopes on Akinbiyi. BBC Sport (2003-09-05). Retrieved on 2007-06-12.
  19. ^ 1 Mark Crossley. BBC Sport. Retrieved on 2007-06-12.
  20. ^ Akinbiyi keeps Stoke up. BBC Sport (2003-05-04). Retrieved on 2007-06-12.
  21. ^ English League Championship Table - 2003/04. ESPN. Retrieved on 2007-06-12.
  22. ^ Transfers - December 2004.
  23. ^ Stoke swoop for young Pompey duo. BBC Sport. Retrieved on 24 December 2004.
  24. ^ Manager Pulis is sacked by Stoke.
  25. ^ Pulis not surprised by dismissal. BBC Sport (2003-06-05). Retrieved on 2007-06-12.
  26. ^ Boskamp named as new Stoke boss. BBC Sport (2005-06-29). Retrieved on 2007-06-12.
  27. ^ Pulis confirmed as Plymouth boss.
  28. ^ Transfers - November 2005.
  29. ^ Nalis completes Home Park switch.
  30. ^ Championship table 05/06. www.sportnetwork.net.
  31. ^ Pulis in talks over Stoke return.
  32. ^ Stoke rebuffed in Pulis approach.
  33. ^ Stoke joy at Higginbotham signing.
  34. ^ Stoke capture Southampton striker. BBC Sport (2006-08-31). Retrieved on 2007-05-23.
  35. ^ Striker Pericard signs for Stoke. BBC Sport (2007-06-19). Retrieved on 2007-05-23.
  36. ^ Stoke complete Hendrie loan deal.
  37. ^ Pulis hails Hendrie performance.
  38. ^ Diao completes Stoke loan switch. BBC Sport.
  39. ^ Potters extend Griffin loan deal. BBC Sport.
  40. ^ Stoke sign Sunderland man on loan. BBC Sport.
  41. ^ Championship league table. Retrieved on 23 September 2006.
  42. ^ Championship league table. Retrieved on 23 December 2006.
  43. ^ Pulis receives Championship award. BBC Sport. Retrieved on 3 May 2007.
  44. ^ Coca-Cola Football League Championship - Updated 28/04/2007. stokecityfc.com. Retrieved on 3 May 2007.
  45. ^ QPR 1-1 Stoke. BBC Sport (2007-05-06). Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
  46. ^ Coca-Cola Football League Championship - Updated 13/05/2007. Stoke City FC (2007-05-13). Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
  47. ^ Sunderland seal Higginbotham deal. BBC Sport (2007-08-29). Retrieved on 2008-01-12.
  48. ^ Stoke City sign Shawcross on loan. BBC Sport (2007-08-09). Retrieved on [[2008-01-12]].

[edit] External links

v • d • e
A.F.C. Bournemouth – Managers

Kitcher (1914–23) • Kinghorn (1923–25) • Knighton (1925–28) • Richards (1928–30) • Birrell (1930–35) • Crompton (1935–36) • Bell (1936–39) • Kinghorn (1939–47) • Lowe (1947–50) • Bruton (1950–56) • Cox (1956–58) • Welsh (1958–61) • McGarry (1961–63) • Flewin (1963–65) • Cox (1965–70) • J. Bond (1970–73) • Hartley (1974–78) • Nelson (1975) • Benson (1975–78) • Stock (1979–80) • Webb (1980–82) • Megson (1983) • Redknapp (1983–92) • Pulis (1992–94) • Williams (1994) • Machin (1994–2000) • O'Driscoll (2000–06) • Roach & Murdoch (2006) • K. Bond (2006–)
v • d • e
Gillingham F.C. – Managers

Groombridge (1896–1906) • Smith (1906–08) • Groombridge (1908–19) • Collins (1919–20) • McMillan (1920–23) • Curtis (1923–26) • Hoskins (1926–29) • Hendrie (1929–31) • Maven (1932–37) • Ure (1937–38) • Harvey (1938–39) • Clark (1939–58) • Barratt (1958–62) • Cox (1962–65) • Hayward (1965–71) • Nelson (1971–74) • Ashurst (1974–75) • Summers (1975–81) • Peacock (1981–87) • Paul Taylor (1987–88) • Burkinshaw (1988–89) • Richardson (1989–92) • Roeder (1992–93) • Flanagan (1993–95) • Smillie (1995) • Pulis (1995–99) • Peter Taylor (1999–2000) • Hessenthaler (2000–04) • Gorman (2004) • Ternent (2004–05) • Cooper (2005) • Jepson (2005–07) • Docherty (2007) • Onuora (2007) • Stimson (2007–)
v • d • e
Bristol City F.C. – Managers

Hollis (1897–99) • Campbell (1899–1901) • Hollis (1901–05) • Thickett (1905–10) • Bacon (1910–11) • Hollis (1911–13) • Hedley (1913–15) • Hamilton (1915–19) • Palmer (1919–21) • Raisbeck (1921–29) • Bradshaw (1929–32) • Hewison (1932–49) • Wright (1949–50) • Beasley (1950–58) • Doherty (1958–60) • Ford (1960–67) • Dicks (1967–80) • Houghton (1980–82) • Hodgson (1982) • Cooper (1982–88) • Jordan (1988–90) • Lumsden (1990–92) • Smith (1992–93) • Osman (1993–94) • Jordan (1994–97) • Sweeney (1997) • Ward (1997–98) • Lennartsson (1998–99) • Pulis (1999–2000) • Fawthrop & Burnside (2000) • Rosenior (2000) • Wilson (2000–04) • Tinnion (2004–05) • Millen (2005) • Johnson (2005–)
v • d • e
Portsmouth F.C. – Managers

Brettell (1898–1901) • Blyth (1901–04) • Bonney (1904–08) • Brown (1911–20) • McCartney (1920–27) • Tinn (1927–47) • Jackson (1947–52) • Lever (1952–58) • Cox (1958–61) • G. Smith (1961–70) • Tindall (1970–73) • Mortimore (1973–74) • St. John (1974–77) • Dickinson (1977–79) • Burrows (1979–82) • Campbell (1982–84) • Ball (1984–89) • Gregory (1989–90) • Burrows (1990–91) • J. Smith (1991–95) • Fenwick (1995–98) • Waldonc (1998) • Ball (1998–99) • McNabc (1999–00) • Pulis (2000) • Claridge (2000–01) • Rix (2001–02) • Redknapp (2002–04) • Zajec (2004–05) • Perrin (2005) • Jordanc (2005) • Redknapp (2005–)

(c) caretaker
v • d • e
Stoke City F.C. – Managers

Slaney (1874–83) • Cox (1883–84) • Lockett (1884–90) • Bradshaw (1890–92) • Reeves (1892–95) • Rowley (1895–97) • Austerberry (1897–1908) • Barker (1908–14) • Hodge (1914–15) • Schofield (1915–19) • Shallcross (1919–23) • Rutherford (1923) • Mather (1923–35) • McGrory (1935–52) • Taylor (1952–60) • Waddington (1960–77) • Eastham (1977–78) • A'Court (1978) • Durban (1978–81) • Barker (1981–83) • Asprey (1984–85) • Mills (1985–89) • Lacey (1989) • Ball (1989–91) • Macari (1991–93) • Jordan (1993–94) • Macari (1994–97) • Bates (1997–98) • Kamara (1998) • Durban (1998) • Little (1998–99) • Megson (1999) • Thordarson (1999–2002) • Cotterill (2002) • Kevan (2002) • Pulis (2002–05) • Boskamp (2005–06) • Pulis (2006–)
v • d • e
Plymouth Argyle F.C. – Managers

Brettell (1903–05) • Jack (1905–06) • Fullerton (1906–07) • Committee (1907–10) • Jack (1910–38) • Tresadern (1938–47) • Rae (1948–55) • Rowley (1955–60) • Buckingham (1961) • Dougall (1961) • Stuttard (1961–63) • Beattie (1963–64) • Allison (1964–65) • Ufton (1965–68) • Bingham (1968–70) • Stuttard (1970–72) • Waiters (1972–77) • Kelly (1977–78) • Lawrence (1978) • Allison (1978–79) • Saxton (1979–81) • Moncur (1981–83) • Hore (1983–84) • Smith (1984–88) • Brown (1988–90) • Gregory (1990) • Kemp (1990–92) • Shilton (1992–95) • McCall (1995) • Warnock (1995–97) • Jones (1997–98) • Hodges (1998–2000) • Sturrock (2000–04) • Williamson (2004–05) • Pulis (2005–06) • Holloway (2006–07) • Sturrock (2007–)
v • d • e
Stoke City F.C. – current squad

1 Simonsen • 2 Griffin • 5 Cort • 6 Whelan • 7 Lawrence • 8 Parkin • 9 Cresswell • 10 Fuller • 11 Sidibe • 12 Ameobi • 14 Pugh • 17 Shawcross • 18 Diao • 19 Gallagher • 20 De Laet • 21 Zakuani • 22 Buxton • 24 Delap • 26 A. Pulis • 27 Phillips • 28 Wilkinson • 31 Dickinson • 34 Rooney • 36 Nash • 37 Hazley • Manager: T. Pulis
Languages