Former Bournemouth manager Tony Pulis has urged young football managers to prioritise their physical and mental health, warning that the pressure of the job can take a serious toll if personal wellbeing is neglected.
Pulis gave the advice following the recent health scare involving Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany, whose collapse at the club’s training ground highlighted the physical and mental demands faced by football coaches.
Reflecting on his early years in management, Pulis said he did not initially pay enough attention to his own wellbeing while concentrating on team performances, player recruitment and the daily responsibilities of running a football club.
He began his managerial career at Bournemouth in 1992 and recalled that his demanding schedule often left little room for healthy eating or regular exercise. He described travelling long distances to scout players and relying on convenient meals while trying to meet the expectations placed on him.
Pulis said the pressure became particularly difficult when his teams lost matches and criticism increased. As the manager, he felt responsible for results and performances, a situation he said could create sustained stress.
A conversation with an Australian triathlete shortly before he left Bournemouth in 1994 prompted him to reconsider his lifestyle. The athlete warned that the demands of his work were affecting his fitness and that the accompanying stress could have serious consequences for his health.
Pulis said he subsequently made exercise a priority at his next managerial job, establishing a routine of working out early each morning before breakfast. He explained that the habit helped him maintain his fitness while allowing him to focus on his professional responsibilities during the rest of the day.
His commitment to physical activity later extended beyond routine exercise. While managing Gillingham in 1999, he ran his first London Marathon and went on to take part in other charity challenges, including cycling from John O’Groats to Land’s End and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
The former manager said regular exercise also helped him manage stress and improve his sleep. He highlighted family time as another important part of maintaining balance, explaining that he reserved Sundays for spending time with his family and switching off from football.
Pulis also said he avoided reading media coverage about himself and his teams, whether positive or negative, and relied on trusted members of his coaching staff for support.
He encouraged young managers to develop similar habits and remain committed to looking after themselves, warning that neglecting personal health could be dangerous under the constant pressure associated with the profession.
Support for managers has improved over the years, he noted, pointing to the League Managers’ Association’s Fit To Manage programme, which provides health assessments, and the greater involvement of club medical teams in the wellbeing of coaching staff.
However, Pulis observed that football management can still be a lonely profession despite the additional support now available. His advice to younger coaches is to treat health and fitness as essential parts of a sustainable career rather than issues to address only when problems arise.
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