Tony Pulis ready for management return after Napoleon’s birthday

Tony Pulis will be in Corsica this week to join celebrations for Napoleon Bonaparte’s 250th birthday.

With more than 1,000 games in the dugout to his name, Pulis is an expert when it comes to football management.

The Welshman is also a student of historical leaders and, as he’s currently between jobs, Pulis accepted an invitation to Napoleon’s birthday party.

“Apparently in Ajaccio (the Corsican capital) they have a big festival,” Pulis, 61, tells BBC Sport Wales.

“I have been invited by a French newspaper to go over there and have a day with them.

“I think they want me to give the British point of view – how we see and recognise Napoleon as a leader and as a person.

“He is one of many generals I have read up on and delved into why they became famous or infamous, whichever way you want to put it.”

Pulis’ interest stems back to the early days of his managerial career, which began at Bournemouth in 1992.

“I started reading about different leaders and their life stories,” he explains.

“I have great respect for people like (Sir Winston) Churchill. He was part of the establishment – he always had that backing behind him.

“I tend to go more for people who have come from more humble backgrounds and become synonymous with greatness in respect of leadership.

“I am interested in people who have worked their way up and finding the common denominator as to why they have been successful.”

Napoleon rose from relatively humble beginnings to become the Emperor of the French, building a reputation as one of the great military commanders.

“The way he moved up the ladder is extraordinary,” says Pulis, manager of nine clubs over the last 27 years.

“He was fantastic in his early life on the battlefield and the Napoleon code of conduct even today stands strong in most European countries.

“There were a lot of bad things he did as well, but he was a great leader of men. His soldiers would commit everything, even their lives, for him.”