Pulis ready for Harry reunion

Potters boss set to face former mentor

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 3rd October 2008

stoke tony pulis

Pulis: Redknapp pupil

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Stoke boss Tony Pulis is looking forward to locking horns with his old boss Harry Redknapp this weekend.

Pulis was a player, captain and coach under Redknapp's supervision at Bournemouth, before succeeding his mentor as manager in 1992.

The pair have remained close friends ever since and Pulis is full of praise for the man currently occupying the hot-seat at Portsmouth.

Passionate

"I have known Harry for a long, long time and I really enjoyed working with him. He's a great guy and a proper football man," he said.

"He cares enormously about his job and hates losing. When you played for him, you could feel how much a defeat would hurt him.

"He might have been a right winger and not renowned for his tackling, but he certainly wants to win. He can fetch the paint off the walls of the dressing room and he can throw pots."

Remarkable

Pulis also hailed Redknapp for taking the controversial decision to swap life at Portsmouth for arch-rivals Southampton, before heading back to Fratton Park for a second spell at the club.

"Just look at what he has achieved at Portsmouth. He did a great job first time around and has even bettered that since he returned," he added.

"They were struggling badly before he managed to keep them up and he hasn't looked back.

"They finished eighth in the Premiership last season and won the FA Cup. That's a remarkable story."

Atmosphere

Pulis endured an ill-fated 10-month stint as Portsmouth boss back in 2000, before a well-documented falling out with then owner Milan Mandaric saw him leave the South Coast club.

The Potters coach insists that escapade belongs firmly in the past and admits he is looking forward to the prospect to going back to one his former clubs on Sunday.

"It always adds a bit extra when you go back to one of your former clubs. Me and Milan had our spat, but that's a long time ago now and water under the bridge," he said.

"I've got friends down there and a few of our players are Portsmouth old boys, so we are looking forward to the game.

"It's going to be difficult for us and the atmosphere at Fratton Park is always fantastic. When the place is rocking the old stands really do move. It's something special."