Pulis- Success was lost in the wash

Pulis issued a statement through the League Managers' Association, who stressed the split was amicable, saying he was disappointed but accepted chairman Peter Coates wanted to go in a different direction. The Welshman was well aware of the disaffection growing among a section of fans but felt his record over the previous seven years was worth something.

"At times the minority make the noise," he told BBC Midlands Today in an interview conducted before his departure. "You have to accept criticism. I've taken it before and you have to take it again, The fact we've had such a wonderful five seasons (in the Premier League) gets lost in the wash, especially if you have a bad run."

He added: "When things go wrong it is magnified 10 times more in the Premier League.

"I'm not dismissing them (the fans) because some are genuine supporters who want the club to do well, others do it for different reasons. I don't think answering my critics is the answer, the answer is to try to do your best."

Pulis also felt the period of stability in the Premier League had raised expectations unrealistically.

"It gets harder because expectations become more demanding. That is life," he added. "If you keep giving people things they keep taking it and in the end they want a little bit more.

"We are never going to be in a position to compete with the top five or six clubs unless you have the budget they use. I think we've done well at the club with what we've got."

In his official LMA statement Pulis confirmed what had been suspected by many - that Coates wanted to take the club in a different direction.

Source: PA

Source: PA