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Premier League: Tony Pulis coy about Paul Jewell's West Brom exit

Tony Pulis
Image: Tony Pulis: Full of praise for Paul Jewell

West Brom head coach Tony Pulis has refused to go into details about Paul Jewell’s departure from the club earlier this week.

Jewell left his role as Albion's assistant head coach on Tuesday - just one week after joining Pulis' backroom team.

West Brom announced Jewell’s exit on their website at the same time as confirming the appointment of long-time Pulis associate Gerry Francis as a part-time consultant.

Jewell said on Wednesday that his departure was “not by mutual consent” and that the matter was now in the hands of his lawyers.

Pulis did not comment on the circumstances of Jewell’s exit at his press conference ahead of Monday’s Premier League game at Everton but he did pay tribute to the former Wigan manager.

Pulis said: “I’ve got great respect for Paul, he’s a tremendous lad and he was out of work for a long time.

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“I offered him a job and it didn’t work out. I wish Paul all the best and I still think he is a great lad.

“Good luck to him and there is definitely no hard feelings my way or the club’s way, without question of a doubt.

“To go any further into it is wrong but I do wish him all the best. He’s a smashing lad and he’s a good football man.”

Pulis also refused to say whether or not he is interested in signing Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher.

The Scotland international was linked with Pulis during the Welshman's time as Crystal Palace manager.

“There’s loads of players I am interested in,” said Pulis. “The last people I will be telling is you lot (the media) and until we sign them we will keep it close to our chest.

“I have to say that we have been busy behind the scenes trying to sort one or two things out, but it has been very difficult.” 

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