Former Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has reignited his long-standing philosophical battle with Pep Guardiola, delivering a passionate defence of his much-maligned tactical approach while questioning Manchester City's set-piece vulnerabilities.
The Set-Piece Debate Reignites
Ahead of Swansea City's Carabao Cup clash with the Premier League champions, Pulis didn't hold back when discussing the fundamental differences between his football ideology and Guardiola's possession-heavy philosophy. "People used to kill me for playing a certain way," Pulis remarked, referencing his Stoke team's notorious physicality and set-piece proficiency.
The veteran manager pointed to a surprising statistic that continues to baffle football purists: "Manchester City, for all their brilliance, have conceded more goals from set-pieces than any other team in the Premier League this season."
Stoke's Legacy vs City's Perfection
Pulis passionately defended his tenure at Stoke, where he built a team that became synonymous with aerial dominance and dead-ball expertise. "We worked endlessly on set-pieces," he recalled. "People mocked us, but it was a legitimate way to compete against teams with far greater resources."
The contrast between Pulis's pragmatic approach and Guardiola's pursuit of technical perfection has become one of English football's defining tactical narratives. While City have dominated English football with their intricate passing patterns, Pulis's methods proved equally effective in their own context.
Carabao Cup Showdown Looms
The timing of Pulis's comments adds extra spice to Swansea's upcoming Carabao Cup tie against Manchester City. Though no longer in the dugout himself, Pulis's analysis highlights the enduring tactical questions that continue to surround Guardiola's all-conquering side.
"For all their quality, there are still vulnerabilities," Pulis observed, suggesting that City's focus on technical excellence sometimes comes at the expense of defensive basics. His comments serve as a reminder that in football, there's rarely one right way to win.
As the football world continues to marvel at City's dominance, Pulis's words echo an alternative footballing truth: effectiveness, in whatever form it takes, remains the ultimate measure of success.
