West Brom hires Tony Pulis to manage EPL strugglers

WEST BROMWICH, England (AP) - West Bromwich Albion hired former Stoke coach Tony Pulis on Thursday as its fourth manager in just over a year in a bid to keep the club in the Premier League.

"West Bromwich Albion are today delighted to confirm the appointment of Premier League manager of the year Tony Pulis as the club's new head coach," the central England team said on its website.

Pulis has agreed a 2 ˆ½ year contract and takes charge of the Baggies after their league match at West Ham on Thursday.

West Brom fired Alan Irvine on Monday, just four months into his first season in charge with the team only a point above the relegation zone.

Pulis had been out of work since leaving Crystal Palace in August two days before the start of the season.

The 56-year-old Englishman has never been relegated as a manager and helped Palace to 11th place last season, leading to the manager of the year award.

"I'm absolutely delighted to accept the job and I do so with a simple but important message for the Albion fans and everyone at the club," Pulis said in the website statement.

"Every successful club is built on unity and that is what I shall strive to help bring to Albion. We need everyone together from top to bottom - the supporters, all the staff, the players, everyone who has an interest in the club's welfare. With that, we can go forward together and hopefully take this club up the Premier League."

West Brom has 17 points from 19 games after losing its last three league games.

Pulis' first game in charge is on Saturday when West Brom hosts non-league Gateshead in the FA Cup third round tie at The Hawthorns.