Tony Pulis hopes to add the Premier League survival of Crystal Palace to his CV, having been confirmed as their new manager this weekend.
Despite an impressive 1-0 win at Hull City on Saturday afternoon, it has been a difficult return to the top-flight for the Eagles. Ian Holloway, who led them to the elite against the odds last term, admitted the task of keeping them there was too much for him to take on, and he announced his resignation with great honesty earlier in the current campaign.
Pulis was always amongst the frontrunners to be installed as the new boss, and the former Stoke City manager was confirmed at the weekend. Although the 55-year-old may not have been the first choice amongst a portion of the Selhurst Park faithful, it is understandable why he has been appointed, due to a record of never suffering relegation in his career.
And whilst Pulis, who has also managed Bournemouth, Gillingham, Bristol City, Portsmouth and Plymouth Argyle, admits he faces a tough job at Palace, he is confident he can improve their situation and add another survival to his list of achievements.
“It’s going to be a tough job, I know that,” Pulis, who takes charge of Palace for the first time at Norwich City on Saturday, said. “I’ve got no false illusions about that. But it’s an opportunity and a chance to try and achieve something that Palace haven’t achieved, which is to get promoted into the Premier League and then stay there, and then go forward.
“I’m still very, very ambitious, I like climbing hills. I’ve been promoted out of every division in English football and I’ve been to an FA Cup final. People talk about me being a fire-fighter but I’ve also been very successful. It annoys me that, in this country, you do get pigeon-holed for certain things. My record is there for everybody to see. Everybody talks about the not being relegated thing but I’ve got a few promotions and I’ve been pretty successful, given the chance.”
