West Bromwich Albion's new head coach Tony Pulis insists he has no problem with his position in the Premier League club's hierarchy. Pulis was hired by Albion on a two-and-a-half year deal to replace the sacked Alan Irvine earlier this week. But the managerial structure at The Hawthorns has come under fire, with critics claiming technical director Terry Burton may have too much influence on signings and team selection.
Pulis is the fourth head coach in just over a year at Albion, adding to the impression that it is tough to work successfully in the club's current system. But Pulis, who demanded full control over signings during his successful spells at Stoke and Crystal Palace, is adamant job titles do not matter as he bids to keep the struggling Baggies in the top flight.
"Someone said to me, 'do you mind being called head coach?' You can call me 'head bottle washer' if you want, it doesn't make a difference as long as I know what I'm in charge of," Pulis said on Friday. "Everyone understands what we have to do. There's been a lot said about how the club has been run in the past and now with me coming in. The most important thing is everyone works together.
"Just because I've walked in the door doesn't mean we'll stay up. There's lots of work to do and for me it's the right club at the right time. I've got a decent record of helping places turn around, but there have only been four home wins at The Hawthorns in 2014."
Pulis will watch his first game in charge from the stands when the Baggies host Gateshead in the FA Cup third round on Saturday. And he wants to make moves in the transfer window this month with Albion hovering precariously just above the relegation zone.
"We hope to get the breaks so we can use the transfer window to our advantage," he said. "Have we got to do business? I think we have to."
Source: FIFA.com