Soccer

Tony Pulis appointed as new Middlesbrough manager

‘I wanted a challenge and this reminds me so much of Stoke when I went there’

Tony Pulis has been appointed as the new manager of Middlesbrough, the Sky Bet Championship club have announced. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA

Tue Dec 26 2017 - 12:33

Tony Pulis has said he is excited by the "real challenge" at Middlesbrough after being appointed as manager following the sacking of Garry Monk.

Pulis will be in the stands for the St Stephen's Day game at home to Bolton and is set to lead the team for the first time on Saturday at home to Aston Villa.

Monk’s time in charge was brought to an end on Saturday despite a win at Sheffield Wednesday which left Middlesbrough ninth, three points off a Championship play-off place.

Pulis led Stoke City to the Premier League in 2008 and Boro's owner, Steve Gibson, has given the 59-year-old the task of repeating the trick at the Riverside.

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Pulis told the club's website: "I wanted a challenge - a real challenge - and this reminds me so much of Stoke when I went there with Peter Coates. Steve Gibson is a football man who understands the game. I have great respect for him as a person and an owner.

“I really am looking forward to this. The immediate challenge is finding out about the football club and as a team we have to get as many points as can, as quickly as we can. I wanted to come at this time because we have so many games in a short space of time, and I can assess everything.”

Pulis, who was dismissed by West Brom in November, has not worked outside the Premier League since his promotion with Stoke.

Gibson said: “We’re delighted to appoint Tony as our new manager. His experience and knowledge speaks for itself and he has a tremendous track record.

“We’re excited by this appointment and by what Tony can bring to this football club. There was strong interest from two other clubs, and we’re delighted Tony has decided to join us.

“There’s no disguising that 2017 has not been a happy year for any of us, but we’ve refocused and we’re looking forward to the future.”

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