Why managers must put their own fitness first – Pulis

BBC Sport columnist Tony Pulis explains why Vincent Kompany's health scare was a reminder that management takes its toll physically and mentally A lot has changed for football managers over the past few decades but Vincent Kompany's recent health scare was a reminder it is still an all-consuming occupation that takes its toll physically and mentally. From the tragic death of Scotland manager Jock Stein after a World Cup qualifier against Wales in 1985, to the different heart issues suffered by Graeme Souness, Sir Alex Ferguson, Gerard Houllier, Joe Kinnear and Harry Redknapp down the years, I've always been aware of the dangers of my job. It is 25 years since then Leicester boss Dave Bassett and Bolton manager Sam Allardyce took part in an experiment that saw them wired up to heart monitors during a game between the teams, and both their heart rates reached critical levels.

It's not just during games when management can have an adverse effect on your health, either. The stress you are under is relentless and you have to find a way of looking after yourself. Fortunately this was something I realised very early on in my management career. Kompany collapsed at Bayern Munich's training ground and the cause has been identified as meningeal irritation – an inflammation of the protective membrane surrounding the