Tony Pulis: West Brom manager says British bosses need to step up to avoid being replaced by ‘sexy’ foreigners
Baggies boss believes British managers must prove themselves if an opportunity to manage a top club comes along
TONY PULIS says it is time for British bosses to start being successful.
Otherwise he fears top clubs will keep on targeting “sexy” foreign managers.
The West Brom chief takes on Sean Dyche’s Burnley at The Hawthorns on Monday Night Football in a clash of two home-grown managers.
But Welshman Pulis says someone from these shores needs to challenge the top six again or start winning trophies, otherwise British managers could become a dying breed.
The Baggies boss said: “Young managers, like Sean Dyche and Eddie Howe at Bournemouth, they’re coming through and might get that opportunity at an Arsenal or Tottenham when they come around next.
“That’s the next step. At the moment, that’s the way it is with foreign managers — they come into the country, they’re sexy, they’re new, they’re bright.
“The disappointment over the past few years is the British managers who’ve gone into the bigger clubs but didn’t win a title.
“Take Sir Alex Ferguson out it, but Brendan Rodgers was close.
“Mark Hughes had a go at Manchester City but didn’t do it.
“Then Roberto Mancini came in and did it, now Jurgen Klopp looks like he could do it at Liverpool.
“We could have done with someone stepping into that top six and then taking it on to win something — and that hasn’t happened.
“I’m sure other people will get the chance and, when they do, you hope they end up winning.
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“We need that — a British manager who is going to win things.” Pulis admits foreign bosses have been praised for using methods that have long been employed by British managers.
And with tongue firmly in cheek, he added: “That’s fine, brilliant, not a problem for me, I’ll listen to them.
“They say Klopp trains them three times a day in pre-season at Liverpool — amazing, I’d never have thought of that!
“Apparently they do astonishing stuff that we’ve never heard of!”
Burnley visit The Hawthorns having taken seven points from nine.
And midfielder Steven Defour reckons the Clarets fans have helped their cause.
The Belgian said: “The backing gives you more confidence to take risks on the pitch.
“The risks I’ve taken are working out well and the fans like it.
“I’m playing a few per cent better with their support.”