Pulis has a reputation within the game for taking clubs beyond their means and achieving success on a small budget. Getting his FA coaching badge at the tender age of 19, Pulis was one of the youngest ever professional players to obtain the qualification and followed it up by picking up his UEFA 'A' licence aged 21.

Ending a playing career which took in the sights of Bristol Rovers, Newport County and Gillingham, at Bournemouth for a second spell, Pulis also took over the role of player/coach before assisting Harry Redknapp.

In 1992 he was promoted to the full management role after Redknapp decided to move to West Ham and spent two seasons in charge of the club. By 1995 Pulis had the experience behind him to try his hand with another side and Gillingham, struggling at the bottom of the Football League, gave him his opportunity. In his very first season he turned the club around and got promotion to the Second Division in 1999, Pulis led the Gills to the playoffs where the side lost to Manchester City on a penalty shoot-out after being 2-0 in normal time.

Bizarrely, Pulis was sacked after the defeat amidst claims of gross misconduct and brought court action against the club for unpaid bonuses, which was eventually settled in 2001 for £75,000. With his reputation taking something of a blow, Pulis was appointed manager of Bristol City. A playing spell with Bristol Rovers saw his appointment met with a mixed reaction, although fans really turned on their new boss six months into his tenure when rumours of a switch to Portsmouth surfaced.

They had every reason to be upset as Pulis moved to the club in January 2000 where Milan Mandaric had recently taken over as chairman. While Pulis may not have impressed in Bristol, he also failed to win over the Portsmouth fans. Lasting only ten months in charge, he was replaced by Steve Claridge in October and spent two years out of work.

In 2002, Stoke City offered him a job and he kept them up. The following season saw Pulis lead the club to a more respectable 11th place, but a disagreement over transfer funds between the manager and the club's Icelandic owner, Gunnar Gislason (who claimed he failed to ''exploit the foreign transfer market"), led to his departure in June 2005.

Taking his ability to turn around struggling teams to Plymouth Argyle, Pulis made sure that the side who were flirting with relegation finished the season in 14th place. However, subject to an approach from his former club, Stoke, in May 2006, Pulis was keen to return as the Potters were under new ownership - in the form of Peter Coates.

The Potters finished 8th, before Pulis lifted the club into the Premier League for the first time in 23 years the following season. With a small budget, and the odds against him, Pulis consolidated their position in the Premier League and also led the side to the FA Cup at Wembley in 2011.

Strengths: Focused and committed to his vision, while he has also gained praise for his work on a shoestring budget.

Weaknesses: Tension with players suggests a fiery temperament and clubs have not looked to him for a long-term plan in the past.

Career high: Leading Stoke to Premier League promotion on the final day of the 2007-08 season. It was to be Stoke's first top flight campaign in 23 years.

Career low: Sacked by Gillingham in 1999 amid claims of gross misconduct, which led to a two-year court case that was eventually settled in 2001.

Tactics: Loves his players to be physical and, of course, pioneered the long throw tactic with the help of Rory Delap. The long ball game works well and putting men behind the ball makes them hard to break down.

Quotes: "I have been unfortunate in one or two situations where I have gone into clubs and cured the trouble and have just been ready to push on and for one reason or another, the rug seems to have been pulled from under me. But I love my job and the game and I just get on with it." Tony Pulis, 2005.

Trivia: He completed the 2009 London marathon in 4 hours 31 minutes 57 seconds. Not bad.