CRYSTAL Palace boss Tony Pulis has hailed Stoke City chairman Peter Coates ahead of facing his former club at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Pulis spent ten years at the Britannia Stadium, guiding them to the Championship and then the Premier League during his time in charge.
And he says Coates is "one of the nicest people" he's ever met despite the decision the supremo took last year to let him go.
"I took them as far as they wanted me to take them, and that was fine," said the Palace boss.
"The great thing about leaving a football club you have been at for so long is that it was very amicable.
"The chairman there (Peter Coates) and his family have been absolutely wonderful to me and my family personally.
"Peter is one of the nicest people I've ever met in my life.
"There are too many great moments which stand out there. I wouldn't know where to start in terms of the joy I got there.
"It was hard work at the beginning but I can sit back and look at what we achieved. It wasn't just me, it was everyone collectively."
And Coates isn't the only one Pulis has paid tribute to. He is also looking forward to seeing the Stoke supporters who made him feel welcome in Staffordshire during his tenure.
"It's the area – they talk about the club but it was my time within the area," said the 56-year-old.
"I still had my home in Bournemouth but I was made welcome everywhere I went.
"Obviously I took a bit of stick there like we all do, and I understand people have different views, but generally from start to finish, it was a lovely area and I've got wonderful stories to tell one day.
"The important thing is that if you stay at the football club and you want to manage a football club, that you manage it in respect of the way you think it should be managed.
"That's why I've always been so committed and that's what it was like at Stoke.
"I had a fantastic relationship with Peter. It was one where I didn't have to speak to the chief executive if I wanted something done. If I wanted something done, I went straight through to Peter.
"It would be difficult to have another relationship like I did with Peter. When I say difficult, I mean if I'm still at Palace in ten years' time, I'll tell you what Steve (Parish) is like."
