Tony Pulis on motivation: hypnosis, Al Pacino and the lies that sometimes worked

Former manager Tony Pulis outlines unconventional motivational methods used over 30 years.

Tony Pulis, speaking in an interview with BBC Sport, has recounted a range of unorthodox techniques he used to motivate players during his 30-year managerial career. The former manager described using hypnosis, film clips featuring Al Pacino, and deliberate falsehoods among his toolbox, and said some methods worked while others did not. The interview offers a rare, candid look at how a long-serving coach experimented with psychology to try to get the best from different squads.

Examples from the dugout: hypnosis, cinema and 'little lies'

In the BBC Sport interview, Pulis explained that he at times turned to unconventional psychological methods. He mentioned trying hypnosis as one approach and using cinematic references — including film clips involving Al Pacino — to try to instil focus and belief. Pulis also admitted he occasionally told players what he later called 'lies' or half-truths, intended to create belief or urgency in training and match preparation. He was frank that not every experiment produced the desired result.

Why unconventional methods? The manager's rationale

Pulis framed these tactics as practical responses to the day-to-day challenge of keeping diverse groups of players motivated across long seasons. He stressed that different players respond to different stimuli, and that managers often must be creative to cut through complacency or anxiety. The BBC Sport piece presents these anecdotes as part of a broader reflection on the psychological side of management accumulated over three decades in the role.

• Tony Pulis discussed his use of hypnosis to try to influence player mindset (BBC Sport).
• He referenced using Al Pacino film clips as motivational tools in certain situations (BBC Sport).
• Pulis admitted to sometimes telling players deliberate falsehoods or half-truths to provoke a response, and acknowledged some methods failed (BBC Sport).
• The comments formed part of a wider interview reflecting on 30 years as a manager (BBC Sport).

Context: psychology and football management

The interview touches on a familiar theme in modern football: the growing importance of psychological preparation alongside tactical and physical coaching. Managers, sports psychologists and backroom staff increasingly employ tailored motivational techniques. Pulis's anecdotes illustrate how individual managers may mix traditional coaching with personal, sometimes theatrical, methods to try to influence performance. The BBC Sport source presents these reflections as personal recollections rather than academic prescriptions.

Pulis's candour about what worked and what did not also underlines an important managerial truth: there is no one-size-fits-all approach. A tactic that galvanises one player or group can alienate another, and trial-and-error is an inevitable part of long managerial careers.

What it means

These recollections from Tony Pulis offer fans and practitioners an insight into the less visible side of management: the psychological gambits used to try to secure performance and belief. Because the details come from Pulis's own account to BBC Sport, readers should treat the examples as personal anecdotes. For verification of exact phrasing, club contexts, or further quotations, consult the full BBC Sport interview referenced in the source summary.