Remote Leadership: Benefits and Drawbacks of Managing a Football Club from Afar

Pulis, who led Stoke City for ten years across two spells, described how he would drive home to the south coast after Saturday matches. The journey could take three hours or more, yet he valued it as precious preparation time.

During these car rides, he spent much of the time on the phone, beginning his next‑match preparation. His chairman, Peter Coates, would only call after a loss for comfort; after a win, he knew Pulis needed no reassurance.

Regardless of the result, Pulis would always contact his assistants, David Kemp and Gerry Francis, to discuss the game in detail away from the stadium, gaining a different perspective. He then spoke with his chief scout, who had attended the opponent’s most recent match, to gather insights on shape, patterns, strengths, weaknesses, and any injuries.

By the time he arrived home, he would have dinner on a tray in front of the TV while watching a recording of the opponent’s latest game, often downloaded for quick analysis.

Sunday was dedicated to family, but late Sunday night or early Monday morning he was back on the motorway, already clear about what the upcoming match required.

Pulis noted that many in football share his view: the solitude of a long drive, the freedom to choose whom to speak with, and the lack of interruptions allow deeper focus. In an office, however, impromptu debates or a chairman’s request could derail a manager’s train of thought.

He emphasized that being alone in the car gave him time to reflect on everything, a practice he always valued as essential. This distance, he believed, made his management more effective and reinforced his sense of the club as a family, despite living away from it.

Pulis added that having his family on the south coast never prevented him from understanding Stoke City’s identity. He became familiar with the area and its supporters, aiming to give them a team they could identify with.

Throughout his career, he never felt he was failing at his job; his primary goal was always to make the club feel like a family where everyone contributed and pulled in the same direction.

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