Stan Cullis: The Iron Manager

Author: Jim Holden

Stan Cullis: The Iron Manager

Few men have made a greater impact on football than Stan Cullis. The dramatic claim that his Wolves team were 'champions of the world' after beating Honved in 1954 sparked the creation of the European Cup tournament. That, in itself, would guarantee his place in soccer history.

There is much more, however, to the story of Stan Cullis. He emerged from a bleak childhood to be appointed captain of Wolves in the week of his 20th birthday, and at the age of 22 he became the youngest skipper of the England national side.

Cullis was a great player; Ferenc Puskas, the great Hungarian, described him as 'the most classical centre-half of his time'. Cullis became an even greater manager, winning three Football League championships and two FA Cups for the Wolves thanks to 'long-ball' tactics that provoked endless controversy.

His reputation was worldwide. When Wolves brutally sacked him in 1964 the first offer of a new job came from Italian club Juventus. He turned it down - and few football bosses can say that. Stan Cullis fully merited the unique title he loved to live up to; he was the Iron Manager.