Tony Pulis, a distinguished former coach in the Premier League and lower English divisions, wrote a column in which he argues that good coaches need time to impose ideas and build winning teams. Looking ahead to the 2023/24 season and the League Managers Association (LMA) awards, Pulis identifies the managers who have impressed him most, from the top of the Premier League to the lower leagues.
At the top, Pulis points to Arsenal and Manchester City as the strongest teams, praising the work of Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola — natural candidates for the individual award of the time. Still, the Welshman makes a point of looking beyond the champion and highlights those who exceeded expectations.
Among them, Keith Andrews, at Brentford, stands out, who in his first season as coach avoided relegation and almost won a European place, contrary to early season predictions. Pulis also has praise for Andoni Iraola, at Bournemouth: despite having started badly (he needed 10 games to add his first victory in the championship), the Spaniard consolidated the team over three seasons, maintained growth despite important sales and concluded 2023/24 with European qualification — the first in the club's history. For Pulis, it is a clear example of how patience can pay off: given time, “good coaches” end up showing results. The coach adds that Iraola is expected to leave the club this summer.
Pulis extends the analysis to Daniel Farke, at Leeds, highlighting the recovery when the pressure tightened at the end of November, and to Régis Le Bris, at Sunderland, both countering the recent trend of promoted teams not being able to maintain themselves. In his reading, Leeds and Sunderland proved that permanence is possible.
In the English pyramid, the former coach reserves prominence for those who overcame budgetary constraints. In 2023/24, Bromley, MK Dons and Cambridge United had great seasons in League Two, with Andy Woodman, Paul Warne and Neil Harris collecting special merits - highlighting Bromley's 21-game unbeaten run between December and March, crowned with the title. A level above, Lincoln and Cardiff “exceeded expectations”, with Pulis praising the work of Michael Skubala at the Imps and Brian Barry-Murphy at the Bluebirds.
Thinking about what's to come, the Welshman highlights that Coventry and Ipswich secured automatic promotion, and leaves a challenge for Kieran McKenna: after three promotions in four years and a relegation in the first Premier League season, has he learned the lessons to take the next step? Regarding Frank Lampard, now at Coventry, Pulis remembers that he knows the English top team well, but that success will largely depend on the quality of the signings.
On a broader note, Pulis reflects on the growing instability of the profession, remembering that the “lashing season” is no longer exclusive to October and extends to post-New Year and the end of the season. He remembers the old coaching seminars at Lilleshall, moments of sharing and learning that have disappeared, and leaves new coaches with simple advice: nothing replaces direct experience from the bench. “No one understands the job of a coach until you sit in that chair.”