What we know after shock Sheffield Wednesday sacking of Tony Pulis
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The experienced Welshman, who arrived to replace Garry Monk after 18 months out of management, had his contract terminated by the club after achieving only one win in 11 matches.
A remarkable announcement took everybody by surprise. But what do we know at this early stage? Let’s take a look.
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Hide AdSo hang on, what?
He’s gone. After 45 days, Tony Pulis is gone in what is the shortest-ever reign of a permanent manager at the club.
A short Dejphon Chansiri statement made clear that the 62-year-old had been sacked, not that he had resigned, owing to a poor start in the Hillsborough hotseat. The statement also cited ‘other reasons’ for the shock departure.
What exactly has Chansiri said?
In that statement released on the Sheffield Wednesday website, Dejphon Chansiri said: “The performances and results have not been of the level expected since Tony Pulis was appointed. There are also other issues which have had a bearing on this decision.
“On the pitch, seven points from a possible 30 is not acceptable. It is vital we maintain our Championship status and I feel I must make a change now with over half of the season remaining to give us the best possible chance of doing so.”
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Hide AdWhat do we know?
The Star understands that Pulis took training this morning as normal and went as far as to tell the squad the team for Tuesday evening’s clash with Middlesbrough.
Speaking after defeat at Nottingham Forest 13 days ago, he revealed that a meeting was scheduled with Mr Chansiri to give his first-month review of what he had uncovered at Wednesday.
Sources had suggested that the Welshman had certain expectations he expected the club to fulfil, having promised publicly that he would ‘not sugarcoat’ his assessment of the club.
As of Saturday’s draw with Blackburn, that meeting had yet to take place, though Pulis maintained that was ‘mainly his fault’ because of a busy schedule.
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Hide AdIt is not known when or whether a meeting of this nature took place between Pulis and Chansiri.
Pulis had made clear his intention to made sweeping additions to the first team squad in January, describing what is needed at the club as ‘an influx’.
What about those rumours last week?
Though it was clear that things weren’t exactly rosy at the club, The Star is led to believe that rumours that Pulis had attempted to resign from his position after their home win over Coventry City nine days ago were wide of the mark.
A screenshot circulated on social media seemed to be at the centre of the rumours, though it is believed that while rumours of an attempted resignation were doing the rounds, Pulis was sat relaxing with Coventry boss Mark Robins in his office.
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Hide AdWhat about Tuesday night?
First team coach Neil Thompson will take the side for Tuesday evening’s visit of Middlesbrough and for the foreseeable until a new manager is appointed.