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Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis has revealed that he decided to join the south London club on the recommendation of former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, reports Mirror Football.
The Eagles moved eased onto the magical 40 point mark to all but assure their Premier League safety after a deserved 3-2 victory over Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday night, with another stellar performance from Jason Puncheon.
Palace were tipped to be certainties for relegation at the start of the season and the Welshman has admitted he had reservations about taking the reins from Ian Holloway at Selhurst Park back in November, with the club in a perilous position.
“Did I have doubts about taking it? It was difficult. I met [Crystal Palace chairman] Steve Parish and spoke to Steve about four or five times and I didn’t feel it was right.
“I looked at it and everyone I spoke to said it was a difficult one. Sir Alex Ferguson and Peter Coates, my old chairman at Stoke, they were the only two who said to take it. They were two very good judges.
“There was a lot of talk about having a pot of money to prepare for the next challenge in the Championship, but I never saw it like that.
“I hadn’t seen Palace play, but I enjoy a challenge. It’s in my nature to stand up and try to march people forward and we’ve done that,” he declared.
Pulis has restored discipline to the Eagles’ defensive unit and the side, which has obvious limitations, plays to their strengths although it is not particularly pretty at times.
The former Stoke City chief is often unwilling to take the plaudits away from his players and praised their commitment to the cause, along with the club’s loyal fan base.
“The players have been wonderful and you can’t do it without them. They have responded to us and given us everything.
“When we went to Hull for my first game as Palace manager, the club only had four points. Now we’ve got 40 points.
“It’s nice to say we’re going to be a Premier League club and with four games left. The supporters have deserved this for sticking with us,” he insisted.
Such has been their dramatic rise, Palace are now pushing for a top half finish, while Pulis has emerged as a contender for manager of the season.
