Former Premier League manager Tony Pulis has urged fellow coaches to prioritize their personal fitness and wellbeing, citing the relentless stress of the job and a series of high-profile health scares among managers.
Pulis, who managed clubs including Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, and Crystal Palace, reflected on the recent collapse of Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany due to meningeal irritation, as well as historic incidents such as the death of Scotland manager Jock Stein in 1985 and heart issues suffered by Graeme Souness, Sir Alex Ferguson, and others.
Recalling his own early career at Bournemouth, Pulis admitted his self-management was poor, with irregular meals and little exercise. A conversation with an Australian triathlete in 1994 prompted him to adopt a strict routine of early-morning workouts before training sessions, which he maintained throughout his career. He also completed endurance challenges such as the London Marathon, a cycle from John o' Groats to Land's End, and a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, which he said helped manage stress and improve sleep.
Pulis emphasized the importance of mental health strategies, including avoiding press coverage, relying on trusted staff, and dedicating Sundays entirely to family as a "release valve." He noted that modern support structures, such as the League Managers' Association's "Fit To Manage" programme and club medical staff monitoring coaching staff, provide better safeguards than in previous decades.
