Tony Pulis, the former Stoke manager, has long cherished a simple ritual: after every match he would gather opposing coaches for a drink and a bite in the club’s hospitality suite.
The practice, rooted in the English football pyramid, was as much about building relationships as it was about sharing a meal, and it was observed by British managers who also extended the invitation to their foreign counterparts.
Pulis recounts meeting Pep Guardiola for the first time after a West Bromwich Albion encounter with Manchester City, noting the Spaniard’s humility and willingness to discuss his Barcelona years and the legacy of Lionel Messi.
Guardiola, then manager of Bayern Munich, sent Pulis a detailed itinerary for a future visit to Barcelona, inviting the English coach and his wife to experience the city’s culture and cuisine.
The two kept in touch, with Guardiola later contributing to a Sky Sports documentary that explored the evolution of tactics in the Premier League.
Pulis places Guardiola among the all‑time greats, ranking him just below Sir Alex Ferguson, whose rebuilding of Manchester United set a benchmark that Guardiola’s evolving style now echoes across the league.
The Spanish coach’s impact is evident in the way Premier League clubs have adopted possession‑heavy, high‑pressing philosophies, a shift that mirrors the transformative era Ferguson created at Old Trafford.
Throughout his career Pulis also worked alongside figures such as Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Louis van Gaal, Antonio Conte, Mark Hughes, Manuel Pellegrini and the late Bobby Charlton, each of whom contributed to the rich tapestry of English football management.
He also valued the counsel of Gerry Francis and Dave Kemp, veterans who had navigated the game’s shifting tides, and remained in contact with legends like Martin Edwards and Ronald Koeman.
A lasting legacy
As the sport continues to globalise, the camaraderie among managers remains a subtle thread that binds generations, preserving traditions while embracing innovation.