Togetherness is key to Baggies’ boss Pulis’ longevity

Tony Pulis has revealed the secret to his long managerial career is togetherness and playing a system that works for the players at his disposal.

The head coach, who has often been criticised for his negative style of football, took charge of his 1,000th match when West Bromwich Albion travelled to his former club Stoke City on Saturday.

He is the 25th manager to reach the landmark and has been inducted into the League Managers Association’s hall of fame following the achievement.

The 58-year-old Welshman has also enjoyed spells at the likes of Crystal Palace, Plymouth Argyle, Portsmouth and Bristol City during his 24-year career in management.

“I have always instilled – which is so important to me as a manager of people – the DNA get on together,” he said.

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

“Everyone was prepared to work together, and everyone either won or lost together.

“People say about me and my style of play. I tell you what I do, I go into football clubs, try and find out what systems suit those players and try to get the damnedest out of the players.

“That’s what I’ve done everywhere I’ve been. If I’ve got a load of centre-halves who can’t pass, you don’t want them to pass out from the back.

“You have to look at the strengths and work around that.”