Who has been Stoke City's best manager? Sky Sports is launching a vote to find out.
Will it be Tony Pulis, Tony Waddington or Bob McGrory who you vote as Stoke City's greatest manager? Each man achieved impressive feats when in charge of the Potters, including cup finals and title challenges, to mean they all have a claim to being the best. But Sky Sports now wants your opinion and vote. Have your say and vote in our poll and we will announce the winner in the week commencing 12th August.
Tony Pulis (2002-2005 & 2006-2013)
Two spells at a club, adding up to a combined 10 years at the helm would make most managers real fans' favourites. Pulis, however, enjoy a rather fractious relationship with the Stoke fans despite the success he achieved. His first spell at the club saw him keep the club in the second tier and then achieve mid-table finishes before being dismissed. New chairman Peter Coates brought Pulis back in 2006 and, in 2008, he guided them to promotion to the top flight for the first time in 23 years. He safely managed the team to safety in each of the following five seasons, reaching the FA Cup Final in 2011. The robust style of his sides was criticised by some opposition managers and Pulis parted company with Stoke at the end of the 2012/13 season.
Tony Waddington (1960-1977)
He arrived in the Potteries in 1960, remaining as Stoke manager for just less than 17 years, claiming the club's first major trophy, the League Cup, in 1972. Waddington had first saved the team from relegation to Division Three before signing a 46-year-old Stanley Matthews in 1961. Promotion to the top flight was achieved in 1962/63 with record goalscorer John Ritchie brought to the club. The likes of Peter Shilton, Gordon Banks and Geoff Hurst also played under Waddington as the Potters narrowly missed out on the title in 1974/75.
Bob McGrory (1935-1952)
Stoke's longest serving manager, beating Waddington by a matter of months, McGrory managed Stoke from June 1935 until May 1952. He made the decision to break up an ageing side in favour of bringing through younger players and led his side to a fourth-place finish in his first season. The Scotsman looked set to become the first manager to deliver the title to the Potters before the outbreak of war in 1939. For a man who reportedly disliked the Potteries on first sight, McGrory must have had a change of heart as he stayed for 31 years as a player, reserve-team boss, assistant manager and finally manager.
Who do you think has been the greatest manager in Stoke's history? Have your say via the feedback form below and vote in our poll. Voting closes on 9th August
