Tony Pulis stated the English Football League (EFL) remains a vital component of the domestic game, according to Sky Sports. The former manager, who oversaw more than 1,000 matches during his career, noted the depth of the pyramid makes English football unique compared to other nations. He managed clubs across all four professional divisions, including Bournemouth, Gillingham, and Stoke City.
Pulis argued that the lower leagues provide an essential education for players and managers alike. He described his early coaching experiences at Gillingham as fundamental to his later work in the Premier League. He suggested the pressure of competing for results in the EFL develops resilience, per The Guardian.
The EFL represents 72 professional clubs below the top flight. Pulis noted that the survival and success of these teams are crucial for local communities. He cited the league as a platform for developing domestic talent that eventually reaches the highest level of the game. He concluded that the competitive nature of the three lower tiers sustains the sport's popularity.
