Pep Guardiola's post-match rituals and Barcelona invite to Tony Pulis revealed

Tony Pulis shares his experience hosting managers like Pep Guardiola and Sir Alex Ferguson after matches.

Post-match traditions in British football In my columns, I’ve often discussed my approach before and during games, but what happened right after the final whistle was just as meaningful. At Stoke, our routine after home matches was simple yet warm: we invited the opposing coaching staff into our stadium locker room. We shared the same meal as the boardroom staff, paired with plenty of wine, whether they were celebrating a win or drowning their sorrows after a loss. I always believed good hospitality mattered in this intense industry—it gave managers a chance to connect and unwind. This practice stretched across the entire English football pyramid, from lower leagues where a simple beer and leftover sandwiches sufficed to the top tiers where executives mingled freely. Over my 30-year managerial career, I noticed this tradition was unique to the British Isles, with no equivalent in mainland Europe. British managers were the first to arrive, but we made sure to invite foreign counterparts too, and they never hesitated to join. ## Memories with legendary managers Many managers left lasting impressions on me through these post-match moments. Sir Alex Ferguson often welcomed me to his upstairs room at Old Trafford, and our bond continued even after his retirement. I shared a glass of wine with Louis van Gaal during his time in charge, then headed upstairs to see Sir Alex, who always appreciated the hospitality at the Britannia Stadium. On one occasion, United’s team bus arrived to collect him, and his swift, no-nonsense response mirrored what most British managers would do. Jose Mourinho, while intense in the Premier League, treated us with exceptional grace regardless of the result, offering sharp assessments of our games. Carlo Ancelotti radiated calmness, a quality that endeared him to players and staff alike. Ronald Koeman, in turn, reciprocated our hospitality by serving a dish of eels during a match at Everton—though I was hesitant at first, I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was, and by Koeman’s generosity as well. ## A night of celebrations at The Hawthorns One memorable night stands out from my time at West Brom, when Antonio Conte’s Chelsea clinched the Premier League title at The Hawthorns in 2017. After a Friday night match, we ensured Antonio and his directors had everything they needed to celebrate, and they certainly took advantage. By the early hours of the next morning, they were still there, long after the final whistle. This story, along with countless others, shows how managers across generations share the same core values. We’re all driven to win on Saturdays between 3 and 5pm, but our reputations often hinge on how we act during games or speak to cameras in the heat of the moment. Away from the pitch, though, most of us are completely different people—dedicated coaches who relax with family and friends in ways few ever see. ## Pep Guardiola’s unique post-match presence Among all the managers I’ve known, Pep Guardiola stands apart, and I saved him for last because rumors suggest this could be his final season in English football. My first real encounter with him came during my time at West Brom in the 2016-17 Premier League season, right after City beat us at home. I made sure my assistant Dave Kemp invited City’s staff for our usual drinks, but I joined them only after finishing my post-match press conference. There he was, already seated with a glass of wine, chatting warmly with my entire staff. As many know, I insisted he eat with us, and our conversation turned to his early impressions of the Premier League and English football. With Kempy and Gerry Francis present, the discussion stayed focused on Pep’s own journey, including his time leading Barcelona with Lionel Messi on the team. He spoke humbly, admitting he couldn’t fail with six world-class players and a genius like Messi who could change games in seconds. Not once did he dismiss any question, impressing everyone in the room, including the caterers who noted how warm and engaging he was. ## Guardiola’s Barcelona invitation and unforgettable gesture Later that season, during an evening match at the Etihad Stadium, Pep sought me out after the game. We shared drinks and food, and our conversation naturally turned to his time at Barcelona. I mentioned I’d never visited the city but hoped to one day. Without hesitation, he asked for my email address—though I was terrible with technology then, even worse than now—so I gave him my wife Debs’ email instead. The following weekend, after another Premier League game, I returned home to find Pep had sent Debs a personally compiled to-do list for Barcelona, urging her to contact him before our trip to check if he’d be around. I struggle even with simple invitations, so we never made the trip, though we might one day—hopefully while Pep is still there. When I stepped away from management in 2020, we stayed in touch, and last year, I helped create a documentary about released academy players. Sir Alex, Carlo, and Pep all contributed interviews, proving football is a family no matter your place at the table. Pep embodies that spirit—he didn’t just transform football; he’s a genuinely good person. ## Guardiola’s late arrival and witty excuse After City beat West Brom in May 2017, Pep was famously late to his post-match press conference. When he finally arrived, he quipped, 'Sorry I am late, but Tony Pulis is Tony Pulis and red wine is red wine.' ## Comparing Guardiola to Sir Alex Ferguson If Pep leaves Manchester City this summer, English football will feel his absence deeply. During my career, I faced four City managers—Joe Royle, Mark Hughes, Roberto Mancini, and Manuel Pellegrini—all of whom contributed greatly as players and managers, but none matched Pep’s impact on City and English football as a whole, from grassroots levels to the national team. When considering the greatest managers of the modern era, I place him just behind one man: Sir Alex. Pep’s seamless integration at City in 2016 can’t be overlooked, especially with Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano already in place—both had worked with him at Barcelona and understood the identity he’d bring to the club. Mancini and Pellegrini, though different in personality, had already achieved success at City, winning the title there. Sir Alex’s arrival at United came after 19 trophyless years, but the biggest difference between him and Pep is that Sir Alex had to essentially rebuild everything himself. While figures like Bobby Charlton and Martin Edwards supported him through early struggles, it was Sir Alex who handled nearly every aspect—signing and selling players, developing young talent, and building winning teams year after year. ## Guardiola’s lasting influence on football Statistics show Pep is only slightly behind Sir Alex in career trophies, and he could add more silverware in Saturday’s FA Cup final, though he faces criticism too. Some point to the vast spending at City or argue their style can be dull, frustrations shared by many fans. Sir Alex also spent heavily, but he will always remain first in my mind as the manager who rebuilt Manchester United and delivered three distinct eras of dominance in England and Europe. Still, no one has shaped the game—from children’s football to professional leagues—like Pep has. His influence is everywhere, and his decade at the helm has left an indelible mark on English football, one that continues to evolve. While his signature possession style often involves backward and sideways passes, recent trends show City and other top teams are now pushing play forward earlier, something I fully support. The first leg of PSG versus Bayern Munich in the Champions League was a breathtaking display, with power, pace, and direct attacks taking center stage—a style Premier League teams will surely embrace more often. ## The cyclical nature of football trends Fashion in football, like clothing, moves in cycles. Just months ago, I shared a story about my assistant Kempy digging out his old bell-bottom jeans from the wardrobe. Football follows the same pattern, with styles rising and falling over time. Wingers capable of beating opponents one-on-one will likely be encouraged to take on defenders more frequently, while square or backward passes from advanced positions in the opposition half could fade in favor of driving forward at every opportunity. The future is uncertain, but wherever Pep ends up next, he’s sure to play a pivotal role in shaping it. His sustained success stems from his ability to keep City’s players hungry and winning year after year, a drive that requires relentless motivation and adaptability from him as well.