Typical Pulis interview to be honest bumming himself up on what records he had achieved and journey's he has taken us on. He forgot the other appalling records of lowest scorers, possession and other naff stats. Thanks again Tony for all you have done but a manager who's sole aim every season is to hit 40 points then see if we can push on must go without delay!
To be fair he always says "we", talks about the players, the backroom staff, and the fans, and thanks them all. It's a pretty gracious interview I think.
I thought the same Peadar To be honest the more I listen to it the only conclusion I can come to is. He really didn't see it did he? As Waddo say's thanks for (what you have done Tony) But there we far, far too many bad days/games. He did say something about " Issues and reasons as to why it was difficult after the Xmas period" Just after we had thrashed Liverpool. I found that strange because he intimated that he could not talk about it now? Some things we will never get to know how, why or what happened. One thing I do know it was much, much more than a blip. And I'm guessing having read Smither's link that Pulis left because of the Sinatra Syndrome. He did it his way. And Coates and Co had seen/heard and had enough.
I do hope he gets another decent job, maybe one of the promoted sides, or a solid Championship one. I think he has a lot to offer a club like that, just perhaps lacking the guts or ambition to push forwards. I'm not in favour of change for the sake of change, I was happy enough with TP in charge, and getting us results, the next manager has to improve the team (i.e. not be Mark Hughes!)
Now that this thread has opened it is probably more appropriate here: ......little bird who new a man who had a sheep dog..... you know the gist..... Apparently they weren't going to sack him. There were obvious concerns and there had been heated debates leading upto the end of season - one being the transfer policy and comitment from the club. It has been suggested by the pigeon carrier that TP went into the end of season meeting with significant demands on the financial investment and development of the accademy and also wanted to restructure and take full control of the recruitment and buying policy - effectively making the position of Director of Football null and void. It is alledged that it was these lofty and unrealistic demands (based on his historical in these areas) and refusal to compromise and just operate in his coaching role that left the board (and dare I say Coates) with no alternative but to dismiss him. The truth will probably never come out but it could have been a ploy by TP to force the boards hand, to prevent a Director of Football taking control or just the fact that he viewed his skillset and position within the club as being higher than it was. Either way I just thought it was interesting from all points and given the rumblings of transfers and accademy leading up to the dismissal and him reeling off his CV at every opportunity there may be some truth in it.
[h=1]TONY PULIS' SHOCK SACKING LEAVES HIM FEELING BETRAYED BY STOKE[/h]£5 Free for all at Ladbrokes Casino! Join now please log in to view this image ABOVE: Tony Pulis has been sacked by Stoke after a poor end to the season please log in to view this image Nobody was prouder than me when, after 23 years of exile from top-flight football, we gained Barclays Premier League status. please log in to view this image Tony Pulis 23rd May 2013 [h=4]By Dave Armitage[/h] STUNNED Tony Pulis has been left feeling betrayed over his shock sacking at Stoke. The former Potters manager’s ­seven-year reign at the Britannia came to an end when he was told the club were seeking a new direction – and not the one he was going in. But the 55-year-old is believed to be bitter over the manner of his ­departure, furious at what appears to be a dramatic moving of the ­goalposts. Pulis was working under the premise that his only must-do ­criteria this season was to ensure Stoke were not relegated. And he is believed to have been told during a slump in form after Christmas that survival was ­absolutely the one and only priority. Owner Peter Coates and the board were desperate to hang in there ­because of the bumper TV money deals for the big clubs next season. And relegation would have been a ­financial disaster after Stoke had invested heavily in players please log in to view this image . But having achieved safety with time to spare, Pulis was busily ­drafting his plan for the summer when the bombshell was dropped. Within minutes of going into Coates’ bet365 offices, he realised the end was near. However, he is finding it hard to understand why promotion within two years of taking over, followed by five successive top-flight ­campaigns, an FA Cup final and Europa League football please log in to view this image counted for so little. He was also the second ­longest-serving manager in the league behind ­Arsenal’s ­Arsene Wenger when Coates wielded his axe. What made it ­harder for Pulis to take was the fact that he had come to regard ­his relationship with Coates as more father-and-son than professional. There was no hint of any animosity from Coates last night as he issued a statement saying how much he would miss working with Pulis. The 75-year-old said: “The last ­seven years have been some of the best in our history. “And I would like to thank Tony for his huge contribution. “I personally regard him as a great friend and will hugely miss working with him.” Pulis put on a brave face last night and said: “I have enjoyed some wonderful times at Stoke City. “Nobody was prouder than me when, after 23 years of exile from top-flight football, we gained Barclays Premier League status. “Within our five-year period in the Premier League we have featured in four major cup quarter-finals, an FA Cup semi-final and final please log in to view this image . “Peter has been truly a ­fantastic man to work with. “Although I am disappointed I do understand what he means when he says the board feels a need to take the club in a new direction.” And Stoke supremo Coates added: “We will now begin the tough task of searching for a successor. “This will be done in ­private and the club will make no statement until an appointment is made.” Wigan’s Roberto Martinez is believed to be the preferred choice along with former Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo.
