Tony Pulis

Pulis began his career at Bristol Rovers where he joined their school of football excellence in Eastville from Newport YMCA. Pulis cites his time at Eastville as an excellent grounding with his Rovers teammate and friend Ian Holloway also making it in football management. "We learned our trade at a football club with really, really good people who had old fashioned values, I truly believe that it's because of the way we were brought up back then that we have managed to go on and achieve what we have done in the game. The basic principles were drilled into us, both on and off the pitch. Nothing was given to us and we had to work very, very hard for everything we got."{{cite web|title='Our Excellent Grounding' – Pulis|url=http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2240276,00.html|work=Stoke City F.C.|access-date=19 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504205934/http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2240276,00.html|archive-date=4 May 2011}}

Pulis made 85 league appearances for the Pirates before leaving to join Hong Kong club Happy Valley AA in 1982. The club finished second in the Hong Kong First Division League and won the Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield in his eight-month stint with the club.{{Cite web|title=Hongkong 1982/83|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesh/hk83.html|access-date=2021-02-21|website=Rsssf.com}}{{Cite book |last=Lee |first=David |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/913788568 |title=Triffic! Tony Pulis : his 40 years in football. |date=2014 |isbn=978-0-9929769-0-3 |pages=10 |publisher=Proverbial |oclc=913788568}} He then returned to Rovers the following year and made a further 45 league appearances before moving to his home town club Newport County in 1984. At Newport, Pulis became a popular member of the squad and his former County teammate David Giles believes Pulis was always destined for top-level management.{{cite news|title=Pulis was always destined for top-level management, says former team-mate|url=http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Stoke-boss-Tony-Pulis-was-always-destined-for-top-level-management-says-former-team-mate-article732346.html|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=20 December 2011}}{{better source needed|reason=tabloid|date=December 2020}}

With County struggling financially, Harry Redknapp signed Pulis at AFC Bournemouth, spending three years at Dean Court before joining Gillingham in 1989 for £10,000 on a three-year deal. Gillingham manager Damien Richardson had envisaged utilising Pulis as a sweeper but his time in Kent was blighted by an injury suffered in a pre-season friendly against West Ham, limiting him to just 16 appearances. After contemplating a career outside of football and studying for a small business qualification Pulis returned to Bournemouth a year later for a fee of £15,000 to take up a player/coach role.{{Cite book |last=Lee |title=Triffic! Tony Pulis : his 40 years in football |pages=24–25}}{{NeilBrownPlayers|player/tonypulis}} He made 16 appearances, scoring one goal, while in this role.

Pulis 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 at Bournemouth, both seasons saw the "Cherries" finish in 17th position before moving on. During his time at the club Pulis spent less than £400,000 on transfers, but recouped nearly £2.7 million in player sales. Among his purchases was Steve Fletcher, signed from Hartlepool United for £30,000, who would go on to make a record 728 appearances for the Dorset side across two spells.{{Cite book |last=Lee |title=Triffic! Tony Pulis : his 40 years in football |pages=28}}{{Cite news |date=3 May 2013 |title=Steve Fletcher: AFC Bournemouth legend announces retirement |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/22396515 |access-date=2022-11-27}}

Pulis then joined Gillingham in the summer of 1995, 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 1995–96 season the Kent side gained promotion after finishing second behind Preston North End, setting a record for the fewest goals conceded by a team in the course of a 46-game Football League season in the process, with goalkeeper Jim Stannard keeping 29 clean sheets.{{Cite book |title=Rothmans Football Yearbook 1996–97 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |year=1996 |isbn=978-0747277811 |editor-last=Rollin |editor-first=Glenda |location=London |pages=167 |editor-last2=Rollin |editor-first2=Jack}} The following season Gillingham started poorly, sitting in the relegation places towards the end of 1996, but improved to finish in 11th place and just six points below the promotion play-off places. The 1997–98 season saw further improvement, with the Gills finishing in 8th place and missing out on the play-off places only on the goals-scored rule.{{Cite book |last=Lee |title=Triffic! Tony Pulis : his 40 years in football |pages=33–34}}

In the 1999 Second Division 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.{{Cite web| url = http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/page/PlayOffsDetail/0,,10794~475418,00.html| title = Play-Off Finals| access-date = 11 April 2007| publisher = The Football League| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070309141237/http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/page/PlayOffsDetail/0%2C%2C10794~475418%2C00.html| archive-date = 9 March 2007| df = dmy-all}} Following the defeat, Pulis was controversially sacked by the club amidst claims of gross misconduct.{{cite web|url=http://www.plymouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=21020|title=Who is Tony Pulis?|publisher=Vital Football|access-date=1 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061213203415/http://www.plymouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=21020|archive-date=13 December 2006|url-status=dead}} He later brought a £400,000 court case against Gillingham chairman Paul Scally for unpaid bonuses,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/968357.stm|title=Pulis given Pompey 'leave'|publisher=BBC Sport | date=12 October 2000 | access-date=6 January 2010}} which was settled out of court in 2001 for £75,000.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1304932.stm|title=End of ills for Gills | publisher=BBC Sport | date=30 April 2001 | access-date=6 January 2010}}

Pulis was appointed manager of Bristol City in July 1999, prior to the start of the 1999–2000 season.{{cite news|url=http://www.bcfc.co.uk/page/Records/0,,10327~393170,00.html|title=PAST MANAGERS|publisher=bcfc.com|date=1 February 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010020210/http://www.bcfc.co.uk/page/Records/0,,10327~393170,00.html|archive-date=10 October 2011}} A previous long stint at bitter rivals Bristol Rovers meant that Pulis's appointment was met with mixed reception. He made several reasonably big purchases including Steve Jones and former Rovers player Peter Beadle, but his popularity 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. He moved on to Portsmouth shortly, where Milan Mandarić had recently taken over as chairman.

In January 2000, Pulis left Bristol City to become manager of Portsmouth. He took Portsmouth from the bottom three to mid-table but lasted only ten months in the job before being sacked and being replaced by Steve Claridge in October 2000.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/1101002.stm|title=Pulis will fight misconduct charge | publisher=BBC Sport | date=4 January 2001 | access-date=6 January 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/1099488.stm|title=Pulis sacked by Pompey | publisher=BBC Sport | date=3 January 2001 | access-date=6 January 2010}}

Pulis was then out of work for two years, before the resignation of Stoke City's manager Steve Cotterill early into the 2002–03 season led to Pulis being given the job that November.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/sports_talk/2379987.stm|title=The right man for Stoke? | publisher=BBC Sport | date=31 October 2002 | access-date=6 January 2010}} Pulis immediately found himself in a relegation battle and it looked likely that the club would be relegated back to the Second Division only a year after being promoted. Pulis, however, completed the signings of striker Ade Akinbiyi{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crystal_palace/3081108.stm|title=Stoke pin hopes on Akinbiyi|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 September 2003|access-date=12 June 2007}} and goalkeeper Mark Crossley,{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=8012&cc=5739|title=1 Mark Crossley|work=ESPN Soccernet|access-date=12 June 2007|archive-date=16 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716005823/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=8012&cc=5739|url-status=dead}} 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 match.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2967967.stm|title=Akinbiyi keeps Stoke up|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 May 2003|access-date=12 June 2007}} Pulis rates Stoke's survival in 2002–03 as one of his best achievements in management.{{cite news|title=Tony Pulis reflects on time at Britannia Stadium|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20171511|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=23 November 2012}}

In the following season, 2003–04, Pulis guided the club to an 11th-place finish.{{Cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/tables?league=eng.2&season=2003&column=none&order=false&cc=5739|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230003643/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/tables?league=ENG.2&season=2003&column=none&order=false&cc=5739|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 December 2006|title=English League Championship Table – 2003/04|work=ESPN Soccernet|access-date=12 June 2007}} Tensions grew between the manager and chairman, Gunnar Gíslason, 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. Pulis, however, did add Anthony Pulis, his son, and Lewis Buxton to his squad in January 2005.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4059949.stm|title=Transfers – December 2004 | publisher=BBC Sport| date=24 December 2004 | access-date=6 January 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/4123345.stm|title=Stoke swoop for young Pompey duo|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=24 December 2004 | date=24 December 2004}} The disagreement between Pulis and the club's Icelandic ownership culminated with Pulis parting company with the club on 28 June 2005. He was sacked for "failing to exploit the foreign transfer market" by then chairman Gíslason.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/4630755.stm|title=Manager Pulis is sacked by Stoke | publisher=BBC Sport | date=28 June 2005 | access-date=6 January 2010}} 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."{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/4633727.stm|title=Pulis not surprised by dismissal|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 June 2003|access-date=12 June 2007}} Dutch manager Johan Boskamp was named as Pulis's successor on 29 June 2005, only a day after Pulis was sacked.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/4633511.stm|title=Boskamp named as new Stoke boss|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 June 2005|access-date=12 June 2007}}

After a brief spell assisting with training sessions at Boston United (then managed by his friend Steve Evans),{{Cite book |last=Lee |title=Triffic! Tony Pulis : his 40 years in football |pages=62–63}} Pulis was appointed as manager at Championship side Plymouth Argyle in September 2005,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/plymouth_argyle/4272258.stm|title=Pulis confirmed as Plymouth boss | publisher=BBC Sport | date=23 September 2005 | access-date=6 January 2010}} managing to turn a floundering team into 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{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/4400082.stm|title=Transfers – November 2005 | publisher=BBC Sport | date=28 November 2005 | access-date=6 January 2010}} and the club improved even further with the permanent signing of Lilian Nalis from Sheffield United.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/plymouth_argyle/4607962.stm|title=Nalis completes Home Park switch | publisher=BBC Sport | date=13 January 2006 | access-date=6 January 2010}} Plymouth Argyle ended the season 14th in the Championship table.

File:TonyPulis.jpg

In May 2006, Pulis was the subject of an approach from former club Stoke,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/5065798.stm|title=Pulis in talks over Stoke return | publisher=BBC Sport | date=9 June 2006 | access-date=6 January 2010}} who had recently parted company with manager Johan Boskamp, following Peter Coates' takeover of the club. Plymouth reportedly turned down this approach.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/plymouth_argyle/5019754.stm|title=Stoke rebuffed in Pulis approach | publisher=BBC Sport| date=26 May 2006 | access-date=6 January 2010}} On 14 June 2006, however, it was announced that Pulis would be returning as manager of Stoke.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/5075140.stm|title=Pulis confirmed as Stoke manager|publisher=BBC Sport | date=14 June 2006 | access-date=6 January 2010}}

Pulis bolstered his squad for the 2006–07 season with the permanent additions of Danny Higginbotham,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/5240230.stm|title=Stoke joy at Higginbotham signing | publisher=BBC Sport | date=2 August 2006 | access-date=6 January 2010}} Ricardo Fuller{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/5298288.stm|title=Stoke capture Southampton striker|date=31 August 2006|access-date=23 May 2007|publisher=BBC Sport}} and Vincent Péricard.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/5095918.stm|title=Striker Pericard signs for Stoke|publisher=BBC Sport|date=19 June 2007|access-date=23 May 2007}} His most notable coup was the loan signing of Lee Hendrie from Aston Villa.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/5391308.stm|title=Stoke complete Hendrie loan deal | publisher=BBC Sport | date=29 September 2006 | access-date=6 January 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/6094390.stm|title=Pulis hails Hendrie performance | publisher=BBC Sport | date=28 October 2006 | access-date=6 January 2010}} Hendrie's arrival along with the loan signings of Salif Diao,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/6034881.stm|title=Diao completes Stoke loan switch|publisher=BBC Sport | date=10 October 2006 | access-date=6 January 2010}} Andy Griffin{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/5396820.stm|title=Potters extend Griffin loan deal|publisher=BBC Sport | date=1 October 2006 | access-date=6 January 2010}} and Rory Delap{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/6038576.stm|title=Stoke sign Sunderland man on loan|publisher=BBC Sport | date=11 October 2006 | access-date=6 January 2010}} coincided with a change of form for the Potters following a poor start to the season. Stoke went as high as fourth in the table prior to the January transfer window.

Pulis was named Manager of the Month for April 2007 after Stoke picked up 11 points from 5 league games.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/6619495.stm|title=Pulis receives Championship award|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=3 May 2007 | date=3 May 2007}} This unbeaten run lifted Stoke to seventh in the table, on equal points with sixth-place Southampton.{{cite web|url=http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/LeagueTable/0,,10310~20070428,00.html|title=Coca-Cola Football League Championship – Updated 28/04/2007|work=Stoke City FC|access-date=3 May 2007}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }} A 1–1 draw against Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the season,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6602873.stm|title=QPR 1–1 Stoke|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 May 2007|access-date=13 May 2007}} however, led to Stoke finishing eighth in the Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/LeagueTable/0,,10310,00.html|title=Coca-Cola Football League Championship – Updated 13/05/2007|date=13 May 2007|access-date=13 May 2007|work=Stoke City FC|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070518123330/http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/LeagueTable/0,,10310,00.html|archive-date=18 May 2007}} 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 £3 million.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/6967059.stm|title=Sunderland seal Higginbotham deal|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 January 2008|date=29 August 2007}} Pulis, however, utilised the loan market again, signing five players on loan, including Ryan Shawcross from Manchester United,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/6939666.stm|title=Stoke City sign Shawcross on loan|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 January 2008|date=9 August 2007}} with a few of these loan signings joining on a permanent deal in the January transfer window.

Pulis guided Stoke City to promotion to the Premier League on the final matchday of the season, to be Stoke's first top flight campaign in 23 years. Upon promotion, Pulis admitted the need to strengthen his squad but he also made it clear that the club would not go 'over the top' with spending. Stoke's biggest summer signing was that of striker Dave Kitson, who joined from recently relegated Reading for £5.5 million. Kitson was followed by the captures of Seyi Olofinjana from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £3 million, Abdoulaye Faye from Newcastle United for £2.25 million, Amdy Faye from Charlton Athletic for an undisclosed fee, Andrew Davies joined for £1.2 million from Southampton, defender Ibrahima Sonko signed for an initial £2 million fee from Reading and former Potter Danny Higginbotham rejoined his former club from Sunderland for an undisclosed fee. Pulis was also prepared to move players on, including his son Anthony Pulis and striker Jon Parkin.

After a promising start to the Premier League season, Stoke's mid-season slump left them as one of the favourites for relegation. The January additions of Sheffield United's James Beattie and West Ham winger Matthew Etherington, however, helped rejuvenate their season.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} Stoke dipped in and out of the relegation zone until March, when a good run of form lifted them above the bottom three. Their 2–1 win away to Hull City on 9 May 2009 secured their Premier League survival. Pulis has received much praise for his work with Stoke on a limited budget, in particular his achievement of keeping them in the Premier League. He was mentioned as a possible candidate for the 2008–09 Premier League Manager of the Year award.

The following season saw Stoke consolidating their Premier League status rather than facing relegation, and also saw them reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with victories over York City, Arsenal and Manchester City before losing to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Stoke finished 11th in the Premier League with 47 points, a place higher and two points more than last season.{{cite web|title='It Will Get Even Tougher' – Pulis|url=http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2047893,00.html|work=Stoke City F.C.|access-date=12 January 2012}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }} Pulis made his 300th appearance as Stoke manager with a 3–0 win over Blackburn Rovers on 6 February 2010. The result was Stoke's largest top-flight win for nearly 24 years after a 4–0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1984.{{cite web|url=http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~1956730,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121202064044/http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~1956730,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 December 2012|title=Special Day For Pulis Too|work=Stoke City|access-date=6 February 2010|date=6 February 2010}} Following criticism from Fulham player Danny Murphy over the way Pulis sets his team out to play, Pulis decided to release a six-minute statement defending the management staff and club as well as questioning Murphy's agenda.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/stoke/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_9101000/9101232.stm|title=Pulis hits back at Murphy claims|publisher=BBC Sport| date=16 March 2011}}{{cite news |url=http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2185411,00.html |title=Pulis Hits Back Over Murphy Outburst |publisher=Stoke City FC |date=15 October 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}

After a number of controversial refereeing decisions that went against Stoke, Pulis advocated the introduction of a relegation system for referees to stop poor decisions.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/9167551.stm|title=Stoke manager Tony Pulis calls for referee relegations |publisher=BBC Sport | date=8 November 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2212870,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121130102403/http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2212870,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 November 2012|title='Clubs Should Vote On Referees' – Pulis|publisher=Stoke City FC|date=8 November 2010}} He became only the third manager in Stoke's history to guide the club to the semi-finals of the FA Cup after a quarter-final victory over West Ham.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/9423753.stm|title=Tony Pulis relieved after Stoke victory over West Ham|publisher=BBC Sport| date=16 March 2011}} They then went on to beat Bolton 5–0, making Pulis the first manager to guide Stoke to an FA Cup Final.{{cite web|url=http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10310~55033,00.html|title=Rampant City Make History|access-date=18 April 2011|publisher=Stoke City FC}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/9457501.stm|title=Bolton 0 – 5 Stoke|access-date=18 April 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 April 2011}} Stoke, however, lost the final 1–0 to Manchester City, with Yaya Touré scoring the only goal.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13346941.stm|title=Man City 1 – 0 Stoke|access-date=14 May 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 May 2011}} By reaching the final, Stoke qualified for the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League, after Manchester City confirmed a place in the UEFA Champions League.{{cite news |title=City Boosted By Europa League Spot |url=http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2357635,00.html? |publisher=Stoke City FC |date=11 May 2011 |access-date=11 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112230914/http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com//page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2357635,00.html |archive-date=12 January 2016 }} Club chairman Peter Coates said in May 2011 that Pulis is Stoke's greatest ever manager.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/9487365.stm|title=Chairman Peter Coates hails 'best Stoke manager' Pulis|access-date=16 May 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 May 2011}}

In the Europa League, Stoke were drawn against Croatian giants Hajduk Split, where Stoke won both legs 1–0 to become the first Stoke side to win a two-legged European tie.{{cite news|url=http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2410599,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121129110159/http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2410599,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 November 2012|title='We've Crossed Another Bridge' – Pulis|publisher=Stoke City FC|date=17 August 2011}} Pulis signed former England internationals Jonathan Woodgate and Matthew Upson on free transfers to strengthen his centre backs following the departure of Abdoulaye Faye.{{cite news|url=http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2421061,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121130093931/http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2421061,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 November 2012|title=Free Transfers Proving So Valuable|publisher=Stoke City FC|date=17 August 2011}} He took charge of his 800th competitive match in August 2011.{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/story-13148526-detail/story.html?|title=It's 800 not out as TP hits new milestone|publisher=Stoke City FC | date=17 August 2011}} On transfer deadline day, Pulis signed Cameron Jerome from Birmingham City as well as Tottenham Hotspur duo Peter Crouch and Wilson Palacios; Crouch, at a fee of £10 million, broke the club's transfer record for the fourth successive season.{{cite news|url=http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2438170,00.html|title=Crouch Seals Club Record Transfer|access-date=25 September 2011|publisher=Stoke City FC|date=31 August 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112231032/http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com//page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2438170,00.html|archive-date=12 January 2016}} In the group stages of the Europa League, Stoke were drawn against Beşiktaş, Dynamo Kyiv and Maccabi Tel Aviv, and after a 1–1 draw against Kyiv in December, Stoke qualified for the knock-out stages.{{cite news|title=Stoke City vs Dynamo|url=http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10310~61084,00.html|publisher=Stoke City FC|access-date=1 December 2011}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }} Pulis described the achievement as a "milestone" in the club's history.{{cite news|title=Tony Pulis hails 'fantastic' Stoke achievement|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15996533.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=3 December 2011}} Stoke were handed a glamour tie against Spanish giants Valencia in the round of 32.{{cite web|title='A Great Draw For Us' – Pulis|url=http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2549746,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121202063953/http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2549746,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 December 2012|work=Stoke City|access-date=16 December 2011}} He reached 400 matches as Stoke manager in January 2012.{{cite web|title=Stability Is So Important|url=http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2575643,00.html|work=Stoke City F.C.|access-date=13 January 2012}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}{{cite web|title=It's 400 up for TP, but he's still way off Waddo's record|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/story-14412750-detail/story.html?|work=The Sentinel|access-date=13 January 2012}} Stoke lost both legs against Valencia 1–0 and exited the Europa League. In the second leg in Valencia, Stoke took a largely reserve side and named just four substitutes which included academy captain Lucas Dawson. This attracted much criticism of Pulis by supporters but he defended his choice.{{cite news|title=Tony Pulis defends Stoke team selection at Valencia|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17148681|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=27 February 2012}} Stoke finished the 2011–12 season in 14th position.

In the summer of 2012, Pulis was again busy in the transfer market, letting Ricardo Fuller leave bringing in a number of new midfield players. In came American duo Geoff Cameron and Maurice Edu, Scottish pair Jamie Ness and Charlie Adam, Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Michael Kightly, Blackburn's French prospect Steven Nzonzi and former England international striker Michael Owen.{{cite news|title=Premier League ratifies Michael Owen's transfer to Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19480317|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=9 October 2012}} Stoke made a steady start to the 2012–13 season despite a tough opening set of fixtures. Pulis has stated that he would like to see out the remainder of his managerial career at Stoke and that he is starting to change his side's style of play.{{cite web|title=Stoke City boss Tony Pulis: I'm not going anywhere, there is still work to be done|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Stoke-City-boss-Tony-Pulis-m-going-work/story-17134890-detail/story.html|work=The Sentinel|access-date=23 October 2012}} Stoke went on a ten match unbeaten run from 10 November to 29 December,{{cite web |title=LIVE Stoke City - Southampton - Premier League - 29 December 2012 |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/premier-league/2012-2013/live-stoke-city-southampton_mtc515741/live.shtml |website=Eurosport |access-date=1 September 2020 |date=29 December 2012}}{{cite news |last1=Bevan |first1=Chris |title=Manchester City 3-0 Stoke |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/20840958 |access-date=1 September 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 January 2013}} and held one of the best defensive records in Europe.{{cite news |last1=Liew |first1=Jonathan |title=Tottenham Hotspur 0 Stoke City 0: match report |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/9759143/Tottenham-Hotspur-0-Stoke-City-0-match-report.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/9759143/Tottenham-Hotspur-0-Stoke-City-0-match-report.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=1 September 2020 |work=The Telegraph |date=22 December 2012}}{{cbignore}}

Stoke, however, made a poor start to 2013 picking up just a point in January and a frustrating transfer window saw just two new arrivals American winger Brek Shea and England goalkeeper Jack Butland. Performances and results remained poor in February and Pulis came under heavy criticism from supporters after an uninspiring home defeat against West Ham.{{cite web|title=Tony Pulis urges reality check after fans jeer Potters following West Ham United defeat|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/story-18314164-detail/story.html?#axzz2MYsIxyIX|work=The Sentinel|access-date=4 March 2013}}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Victories against Queens Park Rangers and Norwich City saw Stoke avoid the threat of relegation and they finished the 2012–13 Premier League season in 13th position.{{cite news|title=Southampton 1–1 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22499096|work=BBC Sport|access-date=20 May 2013}} It was a season of little progress at Stoke, and Pulis left the club on 21 May 2013 after a meeting with club chairman Peter Coates.{{cite news|title=Tony Pulis leaves Stoke City after seven years in charge|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22614097|work=BBC Sport|access-date=22 May 2013}} Speaking after his departure, Pulis revealed that he was disappointed by Coates' decision but accepted his reasons.{{cite web|title=LMA statement|url=http://www.leaguemanagers.com/news/news-7215.html?|work=LMA|access-date=22 May 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609215713/http://www.leaguemanagers.com/news/news-7215.html|archive-date=9 June 2013}}{{cite news|title=Tony Pulis 'disappointed' after leaving Stoke City|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22631984|work=BBC Sport|access-date=22 May 2013}} He was replaced by another Welsh manager, Mark Hughes.{{cite web|title=Mark Hughes: Stoke City appoint former QPR manager|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22686204?|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 May 2013|date=30 May 2013}}{{cite web|title=Three-year deal for Mark Hughes as new Stoke City era begins|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/story-19131617-detail/story.html?#axzz2Ufc641kI|work=The Sentinel|access-date=30 May 2013|date=30 May 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227192513/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/year-deal-Mark-Hughes-new-Stoke-City-era-begins/story-19131617-detail/story.html#axzz2Ufc641kI|archive-date=27 February 2015}}

On 23 November 2013, Pulis was appointed manager of Crystal Palace on a two-and-a-half-year contract, taking over from Ian Holloway.{{cite news|title=Tony Pulis: Crystal Palace appoint former Stoke boss as manager|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25067809|work=BBC Sport|access-date=24 November 2013}}{{cite web|title=Pulis Joins Palace|url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2013/november/pulis-joins-palace/|work=Crystal Palace F.C|access-date=23 November 2013}} His first win came on 3 December 2013, a 1–0 home win against West Ham.{{cite web|url =https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25098626|title= Crystal Palace 1 West Ham United 0|date=3 December 2013|work=BBC Sport|access-date=4 December 2013}} In the early part of 2014, the team went on a run of five consecutive victories, which included wins over Chelsea, Cardiff City, Aston Villa, Everton and West Ham.{{cite news|title=Crystal Palace 1–0 Chelsea|work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26694315|access-date=16 June 2014}}{{cite web|url =https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26998952|title=West Ham 0 Crystal Palace 1|date=19 April 2014|work=BBC Sport|access-date=21 April 2014}}{{cite news|title=Tony Pulis: Crystal Palace are safe from Premier League relegation|work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27059658|access-date=16 June 2014}} This run of form earned Palace mathematical safety and saw Pulis named as Manager of the Month for April 2014.{{cite news|title=Tony Pulis & Connor Wickham handed April awards|work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27252682|access-date=16 June 2014}}{{cite news|title=Crystal Palace: How Tony Pulis achieved Premier League survival|work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27253266|access-date=16 June 2014}} Palace finished the 2013–14 Premier League season in 11th position with 45 points, which saw Pulis named as the Premier League Manager of the Year.{{cite news|title=Luis Suarez & Tony Pulis win Barclays Premier League awards|work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27389970|access-date=16 June 2014}}

During the summer of 2014, Pulis was hired by the BBC to be a pundit for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. When he was not working, he used his spare time watching other games to scout new players and to see different managers at work.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28220887|title=World Cup 2014: Tony Pulis – a Premier League manager in Brazil|work=BBC Sport |access-date=21 June 2016}} Shortly before the start of the subsequent 2014–15 season, however, Pulis left the club "by mutual consent", saying that it was because he was not being backed in the transfer market by the Palace board.{{cite web|title=Crystal Palace and Tony Pulis part company|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28797071|website=BBC Sport|access-date=14 August 2014|date=14 August 2014}} In November 2016, Pulis was ordered by a high court judge to pay Crystal Palace £3.7 million for fraudulent misrepresentation in a dispute with Steve Parish over a £2 million "survival" bonus paid to him on his request over two weeks earlier than contractually necessary the day before he announced his departure.{{cite news|title=Tony Pulis loses £3.7m Crystal Palace court battle|work=BBC News|date=28 November 2016|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-38136496|access-date=28 November 2016}}{{cite web|title=Tony Pulis ordered to pay Crystal Palace £3.77m after 'deceiving tribunal'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/28/tony-pulis-crystal-palace-appeal|website=The Guardian|date=28 November 2016|access-date=28 November 2016}}

On 1 January 2015, Pulis was appointed head coach at West Bromwich Albion.{{cite web|title=Albion appoint Pulis as new head coach|url=http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/west-bromwich-albion-baggies-tony-pulis-new-head-coach-2175923.aspx|website=West Bromwich Albion|access-date=1 January 2015}}{{cite news|title=Tony Pulis confirmed as new West Brom boss|work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30648573|access-date=1 January 2015}} He won his first game in charge 7–0 against Conference Premier side Gateshead in an FA Cup third round match.{{cite news|title=West Bromwich Albion 7–0 Gateshead|work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30608492|access-date=3 January 2015}} During the January transfer window, Pulis secured the services of former Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher, who Pulis soon promoted to first team captain, with Chris Brunt as deputy.{{cite news |title=Pulis defends Fletcher decision |url=http://www.irishnews.com/sport/2015/02/11/news/pulis-defends-fletcher-decision-115579/ |access-date=1 September 2020 |work=The Irish News |date=11 February 2015}} Under Pulis, the "Baggies" went through February unbeaten, keeping three clean sheets in a row in the process. West Brom's form saw Pulis named as the Premier League Manager of the Month for February.{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11698/9756227/west-brom-boss-tony-pulis-is-manager-of-the-month-for-february |title=West Brom boss Tony Pulis is Manager of the Month for February |work=Sky Sports |date=13 March 2015 |access-date=15 March 2015}} West Brom secured victories over Chelsea and Manchester United, and Pulis duly led the team to a 13th-place finish in the Premier League.

For the 2015–16 season, Pulis signed striker Salomón Rondón for a club record fee of £12 million from Zenit Saint Petersburg.{{Cite web|title = West Bromwich Albion confirm club-record signing of Venezuela international striker Salomon Rondon from Zenit St Petersburg|url = http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/west-brom-albion-club-record-venezuela-striker-salomon-rondon-2607821.aspx|website = www.wba.co.uk|access-date = 26 October 2015}} Pulis's statement that he wanted Leicester City to win the 2015–16 Premier League and the motivation of his players was credited by The Daily Telegraph with spoiling their rivals Tottenham's celebration party.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/04/25/how-tottenham-saw-premier-league-title-chase-left-in-tatters-and/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/04/25/how-tottenham-saw-premier-league-title-chase-left-in-tatters-and/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=How Tottenham saw Premier League title chase left in tatters and will Dele Alli play again this season? |author=Matt Law|work=Daily Telegraph|date=26 April 2016|access-date=26 April 2016}}{{cbignore}} In the summer of 2016, Pulis was hired by ITV to be a pundit for UEFA Euro 2016 in France.{{Cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/west-bromwich-albion-fc/2016/05/31/tony-pulis-and-chris-brunt-named-as-euro-2016-pundits/|title=Tony Pulis and Chris Brunt named as Euro 2016 pundits « Express & Star|website=Expressandstar.com|access-date=21 June 2016}} He was used for his knowledge and previous punditry experience to commentate live on Wales. There were other games such as Spain-Turkey where Pulis also commentated live on the match.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/spain-sail-through-to-the-last-16-and-tony-pulis-seems-to-forget-all-the-turkey-players-names-740549.html|title=Spain sail through to the last 16 and Tony Pulis seems to forget all the Turkey players' names|website=Irishexaminer.com|access-date=21 June 2016}}

Six games into the 2016–17 season, Pulis reached the milestone of 1,000 games as a professional manager which came against his former club, Stoke.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37454400|title=West Brom's Tony Pulis faces Stoke in 1,000th game as manager|date=23 September 2016|newspaper=BBC Sport|language=en-GB|access-date=25 September 2016}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37393497|title=Stoke City 1–1 West Bromwich Albion|date=24 September 2016|newspaper=BBC Sport|language=en-GB|access-date=25 September 2016}} At the end of October, Pulis signed a one-year extension to his contract. The extension committed him to the club until the summer of 2018.{{Cite news|url=http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/west-brom-albion-tony-pulis-contract-extension-hawthorns-3386731.aspx|title=West Bromwich Albion Head Coach Tony Pulis agrees one-year contract extension at The Hawthorns|access-date=7 November 2016}} As the season drew to a close Pulis was part of the six-man shortlist for the Premier League Manager of the Season award,{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/premier-league-manager-of-the-season-antonio-conte-mauricio-pochettino-paul-clement-a7736356.html|title=Antonio Conte leads six-man shortlist for Premier League manager of the season|date=15 May 2017|work=The Independent|access-date=23 May 2017|language=en-GB}} eventually losing out to Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.{{Cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10889463/chelsea-boss-antonio-conte-named-lma-and-premier-league-manager-of-the-year|title=Chelsea boss Antonio Conte named LMA and Premier League Manager of the Year|work=Sky Sports|access-date=23 May 2017|language=en}} The club finished in the top half of the table under his guidance, occupying 8th place for much of the season, before a poor run of only two points in their final nine games saw them drop to 10th.{{cite web |title=West Brom 2016/17 Premier League season review |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11698/10887877/west-brom-201617-premier-league-season-review |website=Sky Sports |access-date=1 September 2020 |date=21 May 2017}}{{cite web |last1=Thomas |first1=Andi |title=West Brom 2016-17 season review: Results, roster changes, and summer transfer targets |url=https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2017/6/2/15690420/west-brom-2017-results-roster-transfer-rumors-news |website=sbnation.com |access-date=1 September 2020 |date=2 June 2017}} On 11 August 2017, Pulis signed a further contract extension which committed him to the club until 2019. Upon signing he said: "I'm delighted to extend my contract because it continues the stability within the Club which is essential for its progress."{{Cite news|url=https://www.wba.co.uk/news/2017/august/pulis-agrees-contract-extension/|title=Pulis agrees contract extension|access-date=11 August 2017|language=en-gb}}

Pulis was sacked as West Brom manager on 20 November 2017, after a poor run of results where they had won only four of their last 22 Premier League games, a run stretching back to 2016–17. He left with West Brom occupying 17th place in the table.{{cite web|title=Tony Pulis: West Brom sack head coach after Chelsea defeat|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42041923|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=20 November 2017|date=20 November 2017}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/nov/20/west-bromwich-albion-tony-pulis-sacked-out-of-time |title=Escape artist Tony Pulis runs out of time after West Brom fans lose patience|date=20 November 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=21 November 2017}} Throughout his tenure, concerns had been raised by supporters over his perceived "negative" brand of football, and a lack of progress at the club.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42041923|title=Tony Pulis: West Brom sack head coach after Chelsea defeat|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 November 2017}}

On 26 December 2017, Pulis was appointed as manager of Championship club Middlesbrough, replacing the sacked Garry Monk, who left the club ninth in the Championship table, after an indifferent first half to their season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/tony-pulis-appointed-as-new-boro-manager|title=Tony Pulis appointed as new Boro manager|publisher=Middlesbrough Football Club|date=26 December 2017}} On that same day as his appointment, Pulis was present in the stands to watch Middlesbrough, managed by Academy manager Craig Liddle in the interim period, defeat Bolton Wanderers 2–0 at the Riverside Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42406714|title=Middlesbrough 2–0 Bolton Wanderers|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 December 2017|access-date=26 December 2017}} Pulis's first match in charge of Middlesbrough ended in a 1–0 home defeat to Aston Villa.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42463022|title=Middlesbrough 0–1 Aston Villa|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 December 2017}}

Pulis's first win as Middlesbrough manager came on 1 January 2018, a comeback 3–2 victory at Preston North End.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42475350|title=Preston North End 2–3 Middlesbrough|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 January 2018}} As the season continued, Middlesbrough temporarily began to suffer under the similar results under Pulis that they received under Monk's management, though Pulis turned the team's fortunes around, and they finished fifth, qualifying to the play-offs.{{cite news|url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/championship-play-offs-middlesbrough-dates-14623205|title=Championship play-offs: Middlesbrough dates, tickets, rule reminder & everything else you need to know|access-date=28 August 2018|publisher=Gazette Live}} However, they were defeated 1–0 by Villa, thus being confirmed as a Championship club for another season, much to the devastation of the club's fans, players and staff.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/15/aston-villa-middlesbrough-championship-playoff-semi-final-second-leg-match-report|title=Aston Villa survive late Stewart Downing scare to reach Wembley final|work=The Guardian|access-date=28 August 2018}}

In Pulis's first full season as Middlesbrough, the team had a relatively strong run of results through to February, including a 3–2 away win against Pulis's previous club West Bromwich Albion.{{Cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/w-brom-vs-mboro/392901|title=West Brom 2–3 Middlesbrough |publisher= Sky News |access-date=2 February 2019}} His side went on to maintain a top six position until March, though a run of six consecutive defeats saw them drop out of the top six for the first time that season.{{Cite news|url=https://independentobservers.com/2019/04/06/boro-records-6th-defeat-in-a-row-as-mikel-tastes-full-action/|title=Boro|publisher=Independent observer|date=6 April 2019|access-date=18 April 2019|archive-date=18 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418035139/https://independentobservers.com/2019/04/06/boro-records-6th-defeat-in-a-row-as-mikel-tastes-full-action/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/17539439.report-middlesbrough-0-norwich-city-1/ |title=REPORT: Middlesbrough 0 Norwich City 1|publisher=Northern Echo |date=30 March 2019}} Middlesbrough finished the season in 7th and Pulis left the club when the decision was taken to not extend his contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48255942|title=Tony Pulis: Middlesbrough part with boss after missing out on play-offs|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 May 2019|access-date=17 May 2019}}

On 13 November 2020, Pulis returned to management after over a year out of football, joining Championship club Sheffield Wednesday, the second consecutive appointment for which he had replaced Garry Monk.{{cite news |title= Tony Pulis appointed Owls manager|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2020/november/tony-pulis-appointed-owls-manager/|access-date=13 November 2020 |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday F.C. |date=13 November 2020}} He brought in Mike Trusson as his assistant manager{{cite news |title=Mike Trusson joins Owls coaching team|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2020/november/mike-trusson-joins-owls-coaching-team/|access-date=20 November 2020 |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday F.C. |date=20 November 2020}} and Craig Gardner as first-team coach{{cite news |title=Craig Gardner joins Owls coaching staff|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2020/november/craig-gardner-joins-owls-coaching-staff/|access-date=18 November 2020 |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday F.C. |date=18 November 2020}} during his first week. His first match in charge ended in a 1–0 defeat against Preston North End after Josh Windass was sent off, after 17 minutes.{{cite news |title=Report: Preston 1-0 Wednesday|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/matches/fixtures/first-team/202021/november/preston-north-end-vs-sheffield-wednesday-on-21-nov-20/#report|access-date=21 November 2020 |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday F.C. |date=21 November 2020}} He got his first point the following game in another away game, a 1–1 draw against Swansea City, with Adam Reach getting the first goal of his reign.{{cite news |title=Report: Swansea 1-1 Wednesday|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/matches/fixtures/first-team/202021/november/swansea-city-vs-sheffield-wednesday-on-25-nov-20/#report|access-date=25 November 2020 |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday F.C. |date=25 November 2020}} After the 2–0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, he broke the record for worst start for any manager at Sheffield Wednesday, getting 3 points from a possible 24.{{cite news |title=Tony Pulis sets new Sheffield Wednesday record after Forest defeat|url=https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/tony-pulis-sets-new-sheffield-wednesday-record-after-forest-defeat/|access-date=16 December 2020 |publisher=Football League World |date=16 December 2020}} He won his first game as manager at the ninth time of asking against Coventry City in a 1–0 win, with Tom Lees getting the winning goal.{{cite news |title=Tony Pulis press conference recap: Sheffield Wednesday boss reacts to Coventry City win|url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/tony-pulis-wednesday-coventry-recap-19488834|access-date=19 December 2020 |publisher=ExaminerLive |date=19 December 2020}} On 28 December 2020, Pulis was sacked as Wednesday manager after having secured just one victory from ten league games.{{Cite web |url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2020/december/club-statement---tony-pulis/ |title=Club Statement |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday FC |date=28 December 2020 |access-date=29 December 2020}} Sky Sports reported that major disagreements between Pulis and club owner Dejphon Chansiri over transfer plans for the upcoming January transfer window were the main cause of Pulis's dismissal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11703/12174770/tony-pulis-rows-over-sheffield-wednesday-transfer-plans-led-to-sacking|title=Tony Pulis: Rows over Sheffield Wednesday transfer plans led to sacking|website=Sky Sports|access-date=5 November 2021}} Chansiri later described his appointment of Pulis as a "mistake".{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11703/12176334/dejphon-chansiri-sheffield-wednesday-owner-says-hiring-tony-pulis-was-a-mistake|title=Dejphon Chansiri: Sheffield Wednesday owner says hiring Tony Pulis was a 'mistake'|website=Sky Sports|access-date=5 November 2021}}

{{Quote box|width=30%|align=Right|quote="It's simple. If I own an English club, which I don't and which I'd never do, I'd sign Tony Pulis. It's as simple as that. It's a guarantee to achieve what the club wants.

He never managed a club that wants to be champions. He never managed a club that wants a top four place. He's always managed clubs who want to survive and who want stability, and he's mathematic: what the club wants, he gives.

His record is absolutely amazing, and he does what some people don't understand -- but I do -- and what other people sometimes don't rate, but I do. Which is the relation between what the manager wants and what the team is.

Tony's teams are exactly what he wants, exactly what he prepares a team to be. This is the most difficult thing in football. Philosophy is a beautiful thing but football is more than that. Tony is a great example of that."|source=—José Mourinho on Pulis in May 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37417002/every-chelsea-player-get-prem-medal|title=Every Chelsea player to get a Premier League medal says Jose Mourinho|work=ESPN|date=15 May 2015|access-date=14 May 2023}}}}

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 player, coach or manager. Throughout his managerial career Pulis has used the long ball style of play, and been known for placing an emphasis on defence and utilising set-pieces to pose a goal threat.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/5092066.stm|title=Pulis stands by management style|publisher=BBC Sport | date=18 June 2006 | access-date=6 January 2010}}{{Cite book |last=Lee |title=Triffic! Tony Pulis : his 40 years in football |pages=32}} He has a reputation for securing safety for struggling clubs, giving him a "Red Adair" type image which he finds frustrating.{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/west-bromwich-albion/11558155/Tony-Pulis-Im-sick-of-being-known-as-an-escape-artist.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/west-bromwich-albion/11558155/Tony-Pulis-Im-sick-of-being-known-as-an-escape-artist.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Tony Pulis: I'm sick of being known as an escape artist|website=Telegraph.co.uk|date=23 April 2015 |access-date=21 June 2016}}{{cbignore}}

Stoke City chairman Peter Coates stated that Pulis had studied, and was influenced by, Italian styles of play, saying: "The so-called Catenaccio defensive system interested him and the Italians haven't done too badly, have they, with their four World Cups?".{{cite web|title=Coates hails Pulis' Italian influence|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/news/story/_/id/1250539/peter-coates-hails-tony-pulis'-italian-influence|website=ESPN|access-date=28 November 2016}}

Pulis was born in the Pill area of Newport, in Wales. He was brought up there, with his father, Angelo, a steelworker, and his mother, Jean, as well as his brothers and sisters.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/tony-pulis-the-man-who-moulded-the-potters-892758.html|title=Tony Pulis: The man who moulded the Potters|access-date=19 April 2011|work=The Independent|location=London|date=13 August 2008}} Growing up in Newport, he supported Manchester United as well as attending matches at Cardiff City and Newport County.{{cite web |url=http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/8981071.Hero_Pulis_and_Stoke_are_on_the_way_to_Spytty_Park/?#|title=Hero Pulis and Stoke are on the way to Spytty Park|date=19 April 2011 |access-date=19 April 2011|publisher=South Wales Argus}} One of his brothers, Ray, also used to play for Newport and is currently chairman of Welsh non-league side Pill AFC. His son Anthony is a retired professional footballer who currently serves as an assistant coach for the Major League Soccer side Real Salt Lake.{{Cite web|title=RSL Unveils 2024 Coaching Staff|url=https://www.rsl.com/news/rsl-unveils-2024-coaching-staff|date=16 January 2024|website=Major League Soccer|access-date=20 May 2024}} Pulis's former Bristol Rovers teammate Ian Holloway is Anthony's godfather.{{cite news |title=Pulis impressed by Blackpool |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/pulis-impressed-by-blackpool-1791331.html |access-date=1 September 2020 |work=The Independent |date=22 September 2009}} He also has a daughter, Stephanie whose partner, Jack Swann is an amateur footballer who played for Bournemouth Poppies.{{cite web|title=Poppies striker Swann hones skills with Crouch and Co|url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/9643462.Football__Poppies_striker_Swann_hones_skills_with_Crouch_and_Co/?|work=Daily Echo|date=12 April 2012 |access-date=12 April 2012}} His grandfather was born in Ħaż-Żabbar, Malta before he moved to Wales.{{cite web |url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090521/sport/success-for-pulis-with-malta-connection.257778|title=Success for Pulis with Malta connection|access-date=10 May 2011|work=The Times|date=21 May 2009 |location=Malta}}

Pulis was awarded an honorary degree at the University of Staffordshire on 10 July 2009. He received the reward for his contribution in helping sports journalism students at the university.[https://archive.today/20130505092653/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/cheadle/news/Wish-teachers/article-1157245-detail/article.html Tony Pulis collects honours at Staffordshire University graduation] This is Staffordshire, 11 July 2009 He was also awarded the award at the University of Wales, Newport, on 15 April 2013.{{cite web|title=Stoke City manager Tony Pulis honoured in his home city|url=http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/gwentnews/10356844._/?|work=South Wales Argus|date=15 April 2013 |access-date=15 April 2013}} Pulis participated in the 2009 London Marathon to raise money for the Donna Louise Trust which assists a children hospice.[http://www.justgiving.com/tonypulis Tony Pulis Fundraising Page] JustGiving.com He completed the marathon in 4 hours 31 minutes 57 seconds.[http://results-2009.london-marathon.co.uk/index.php?lastname=pulis&firstname=&club=&gender=M&nation=&event_id=MAS&position=&split=FINISHNET&Submit=show+results+%3E%3E&a=d&o=s&start_no=28005&ostart_no= Flora London Marathon 2009 Results – Anthony Pulis] Flora London Marathon, 26 April 2009

In May 2010, Pulis climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro with Nick Hancock to raise money for the Stoke-on-Trent based charity the Donna Louise Trust.{{cite web|title=Kili For Kids: Did Tony Pulis and Nick Hancock reach mountain summit?|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Blizzard-batters-dream-mountain-conquest/story-12551822-detail/story.html|work=The Sentinel|access-date=20 December 2011}} In March 2012, he escaped a driving ban for speeding after his lawyer claimed that the city of Stoke-on-Trent would suffer as a result.{{cite web|title=Stoke City manager Tony Pulis avoids driving ban for speeding at 96mph|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/story-15589170-detail/story.html?|work=The Sentinel|access-date=22 March 2012}} On 31 May 2012, Pulis was an Olympic Torch bearer for the 2012 Summer Olympics.{{cite web|title=Stoke City manager Tony Pulis speaks of Olympic Torch honour|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/story-16238782-detail/story.html?|work=The Sentinel|access-date=31 May 2012}} On 1 June 2015, Pulis completed a 450-mile rowing challenge from Tower Bridge in London to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. He once again teamed up with Nick Hancock and other team members for the Donna Louise Hospice in Stoke. The seven-day nautical challenge eventually raised over £250,000 for the charity.{{Cite web|url=http://www.leaguemanagers.com/news/lma-latest/tony-pulis-towertotower-row-charity/|title=League Managers Association – TONY PULIS: TOWERTOTOWER ROW FOR CHARITY|website=Leaguemanagers.com|access-date=22 June 2016}}

Pulis is a Catholic and regularly attends church.{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/stoke/article6926939.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605002129/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/stoke/article6926939.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 June 2011|title=Fanfare for the common manager|last=Walsh|first=David|date=22 November 2009 |work=The Times|access-date=26 November 2009|location=London}}{{subscription required}} His mother died on 13 September 2010, the same day that Stoke had a Monday night fixture against Aston Villa. Pulis made an unexpected return to the dug-out after the half-time break, having missed the first half, amidst huge applause from the home crowd. At this time, Villa were 1–0 up but goals from Kenwyne Jones and Robert Huth gave Stoke a 2–1 win and their first points of the season.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8996065.stm|title=Tony Pulis 'inspired Stoke to beat Aston Villa' |publisher=BBC|date=13 September 2010|access-date=14 September 2010}}

• {{ENFA}}

!colspan="2"|Total

|-

!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

|-

|rowspan="7"|Bristol Rovers

|1975–76

|Second Division

|4||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||4||0

|-

|1976–77

|Second Division

|9||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||9||0

|-

|1977–78

|Second Division

|23||0||4||0||0||0||1||0||28||0

|-

|1978–79

|Second Division

|7||0||0||0||2||0||2||0||11||0

|-

|1979–80

|Second Division

|34||3||1||0||2||0||0||0||37||3

|-

|1980–81

|Second Division

|8||0||0||0||4||0||0||0||12||0

|-

!colspan="2"|Total

!85!!3!!5!!0!!8!!0!!3!!0!!101!!3

|-

|rowspan="2"|Happy Valley

|1981–82

|Hong Kong First Division

|13||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||13||0

|-

!colspan="2"|Total

!13!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!13!!0

|-

|rowspan="3"|Bristol Rovers

|1982–83

|Third Division

|17||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||17||0

|-

|1983–84

|Third Division

|28||2||0||0||3||0||1||0||32||2

|-

!colspan="2"|Total

!45!!2!!0!!0!!3!!0!!1!!0!!49!!2

|-

|rowspan="3"|Newport County

|1984–85

|Third Division

|37||0||2||1||1||0||5||0||45||1

|-

|1985–86

|Third Division

|40||0||3||0||1||0||0||0||44||0

|-

!colspan="2"|Total

!77!!0!!5!!1!!2!!0!!5!!0!!89!!1

|-

|rowspan="4"|AFC Bournemouth

|1986–87

|Third Division

|35||0||0||0||2||0||2||0||39||0

|-

|1987–88

|Second Division

|29||3||1||0||4||0||1||0||35||3

|-

|1988–89

|Second Division

|10||0||1||0||1||0||0||0||12||0

|-

!colspan="2"|Total

!74!!3!!2!!0!!7!!0!!3!!0!!86!!3

|-

|rowspan="2"|Gillingham

|1989–90

|Fourth Division

|16||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||17||0

|-

!colspan="2"|Total

!16!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!1!!0!!17!!0

|-

|rowspan="3"|AFC Bournemouth

|1990–91

|Third Division

|15||1||2||0||0||0||0||0||17||1

|-

|1991–92

|Third Division

|1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0

|-

!colspan="2"|Total

!16!!1!!2!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!18!!1

|-

!colspan="3"|Career Total

!326!!9!!14!!1!!20!!0!!13!!0!!373!!10

|}

{{Refbegin}}

:A. {{note|Other}} The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the Anglo-Scottish Cup, Football League Trophy and Full Members Cup.

{{Refend}}

{{updated|match played on 26 December 2020}}{{cite news|title=Tony Pulis at 1,000 games: Footballers are film stars now|work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37444207|access-date=22 September 2016}}

Happy Valley

• Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield: 1982–83

AFC Bournemouth

• Football League Third Division: 1986–87

Gillingham

• Football League Third Division runner-up: 1995–96

Stoke City

• Football League Championship runner-up: 2007–08
• FA Cup runner-up: 2010–11

Individual

• Championship Manager of the Month: February 2005, April 2007, February 2008{{Cite web |title=Tony Pulis |url=https://leaguemanagers.com/managers/tony-pulis/ |access-date=2022-11-27 |website=League Managers Association}}
• Second Division Manager of the Month: February 1993
• Third Division Manager of the Month: September 1995{{Cite book |last=Lee |title=Triffic! Tony Pulis : his 40 years in football |pages=32}}
• Third Division Manager of the Season: 1995–96{{Cite news|url=http://www.plymouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=21020|title=Who Is Tony Pulis? – VitalFootball.co.uk|last=Ltd|first=Vitalnetwork|work=VitalFootball.co.uk|access-date=12 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220142807/http://www.plymouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=21020|archive-date=20 December 2016|url-status=dead}}
• Premier League Manager of the Month: April 2014, February 2015{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/managers/3709/Tony-Pulis/overview |title=Manager profile: Tony Pulis |publisher=Premier League |access-date=19 September 2018}}
• Premier League Manager of the Season: 2013–14
• Inducted into LMA Hall of Fame 2016–17{{Cite web|url=http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/hall-of-fame/|title=League Managers Association – Hall of Fame|website=Leaguemanagers.com|access-date=12 August 2017|archive-date=25 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425151817/https://leaguemanagers.com/managers/hall-of-fame/|url-status=dead}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Tony Pulis}}

• {{Soccerbase manager|id=1249}}
• [https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chrisbevan/2010/02/points_mean_prizes_for_tony_pu.html Points are the prizes for Stoke boss Tony Pulis] – BBC Sport blog

{{Premier League Manager of the Year}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Pulis, Tony}}

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