Tony Pulis enjoyed a successful top flight managerial career as boss in the Premier League and has credited one legendary name for helping him create his infamous Stoke team.
Upon being promoted to the big-time position with the Potters in 2008, Pulis sought advice from a man at the top of his game, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
Talking on William Hill and Footy Accumulators’ podcast, No Tippy Tappy Football, he revealed what Ferguson had said to him and how it helped shape the Stoke blueprint we saw from Pulis' team in the Premier League.
“If you’ve got the best players in the world, then building from the back is fine, but the majority of teams don’t,” he said.
“The bottom line is football is about winning and if you don’t win football matches you aren’t going to be in the job very long. You need to find out what your strengths are and play to them. Don’t worry about what others do.
“When we got promoted at Stoke, I called Sir Alex Ferguson up and he said ‘Tony, I’ve seen your team, I think you’re going to struggle! Your best chance is making the Britannia a place no-one wants to go. If any of the top teams go there and praise you, you’re not doing it right.’
“I never forgot it and as a result we narrowed the pitch in, grew the grass and brought Rory Delap into play. We found a way to win and it worked. I don’t think I’ve ever been at a football stadium where the crowd and team were so together – we used to play the top teams at the place used to light up.”
Live on DAZN : Watch Dalton Smith vs. Jose Zepeda on March 23