Former Stoke City manager Tony Pulis wants his FA Cup medal following Manchester City’s recent FFP verdict.
Former Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has admitted he feels “cheated” by Manchester City’s financial breaches after the club were found guilty of the majority of the Premier League charges brought up against them.
Pulis was in charge of Stoke when they faced City in the 2011 FA Cup final, with Roberto Mancini’s side winning 1-0 at Wembley. The verdict has now prompted Stoke supporters to question whether City’s breaches mean Stoke should have won the trophy.
Stoke fans want their FA Cup trophy back
“When do we get our FA Cup?” is the question Pulis says Stoke fans have been asking him since the verdict emerged.
The former Premier League manager acknowledged that the process is not over, with City expected to appeal and sanctions yet to be determined. However, he believes the findings have left a bitter feeling among those connected with Stoke.
“Well, I know all Stoke supporters will be demanding that City pass the trophy over and every club that has been affected by their actions will be considering their legal options,” Pulis said while speaking to BBC Sport.
“I don’t expect Manchester City to phone me or the club up and offer back the 2011 FA Cup and the winners’ medals their players received.
“I don’t seriously believe any other trophies and titles will be handed back over either. A points deduction and a massive fine feels far more likely.
“But I still feel cheated. Whatever happens next, we won’t ever get that day back and the chance to celebrate around Stoke-on-Trent with the cup and medals we so honestly fought for. After breaking the rules, Manchester City got to do that instead.”
The 2011 final remains one of the defining moments of Pulis’ career. Stoke had reached the showpiece after years of hard work and were attempting to win the FA Cup for the first time in their history.
Pulis recalled the atmosphere at Wembley, with Stoke supporters travelling from around the world to witness what they hoped would be a historic occasion.
“I can still picture walking out before kick-off to see our end of the ground decked in red and white and hear the amazing rendition of Delilah from our supporters,” he added.
Massive financial difference between the two clubs
The financial disparity between the two clubs was also stark. Yaya Toure scored the only goal of the final, and Pulis pointed out that the midfielder was reportedly earning around 10 times more than any Stoke player while his transfer fee from Barcelona was greater than the combined cost of Stoke’s starting XI.
Despite the defeat, Pulis remains proud of his players and their performance against a City side beginning its rise towards becoming one of England’s dominant clubs. Pulis expects a points deduction and substantial fine rather than the club been scrapped of all the titles.
However, the verdict has changed how he remembers the occasion. For Pulis, the issue is not simply about receiving a trophy years later, but about what Stoke and their supporters lost the chance to experience. The 2011 final was supposed to be their day in the sun. For Pulis, no future sanction can recreate that moment.