After their resounding loss at the weekend against Chelsea, West Bromwich Albion decided to sack Tony Pulis, the fifth managerial casualty of the season.
The move by West Brom’s owners to sack Tony is not so shocking as they currently only sit a point above the relegation zone. Other teams in and around the relegation zone have resorted to sacking the man in charge and West Brom have simply followed the trend.
After joining the club in January 2015, Pulis made some very solid signings during the winter transfer window and ensured they survived for another season. He then led them to a very respectable 10th placed position the following term. Alas, this form could not be continued and so Pulis departed the Hawthorns, as West Brom sit perilously close to the relegation zone.
When you talk about the best league managers, names like Mourinho, Ferguson and Guardioloa are mentioned for obvious reasons. Tony Pulis however goes under the radar. He doesn’t have the number of titles and trophies that the top dogs do but his work with smaller clubs is exceptional.
Pulis transformed Stoke from being a mediocre Championship team, to a solid Premier League team that are now talked about being a very tough team to beat at home. During his time at the Britannia, he reached the FA Cup final and even managed to enter Stoke into the Europa League. A sterling effort from Tony has helped massively improved Stoke City’s calibre as a football club.
West Brom currently sit 17th in the Premier League, without a manager and in desperate need of a turnaround. Was it too rash a decision to sack their manager? There are plenty of options for a new manager, Alan Pardew being amongst the favourites. Tony Pulis will undoubtedly find work in the near future and whilst his time is up at the Hawthorns, he can be proud of the work he’s carried out over the years.
Written by Sam Brazier.
