Former Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has expressed his desire for the FA Cup title won by Manchester City in 2011 to be awarded to his former club. This call comes in light of Manchester City’s recent guilty verdict regarding financial regulations violations that occurred during the period from 2009 to 2018.

Pulis's frustration stems from the 2011 FA Cup final, where Stoke City was defeated by Manchester City, with Yaya Toure scoring the only goal of the match. The former manager has long felt that his team was at a disadvantage, competing against a squad filled with world-class talent and managed by Roberto Mancini. He noted that the transfer fee for Toure alone surpassed the total value of Stoke City’s starting lineup at the time.

In his column for BBC, Pulis articulated his feelings of being cheated, stating that the financial misconduct by Manchester City undermined the integrity of the competition. "We were unsuccessful, but against a team that has been determined to have violated the Premier League's established financial regulations," he wrote, highlighting the broader implications of City’s actions on other clubs.

Pulis expressed that while he does not expect to receive the FA Cup title or medals from Manchester City, he believes that significant penalties should be imposed on the club. He suggested that a points deduction and hefty fines would be more appropriate consequences for the violations committed.

Reflecting on the emotional impact of the 2011 final, Pulis lamented, "Whatever happens next, we won’t ever get that day back and the chance to celebrate around Stoke-on-Trent with the cup and medals we so honestly fought for. After breaking the rules, Manchester City got to do that instead."

As the situation unfolds, Manchester City has confirmed their intention to appeal the guilty verdict. The football community is now watching closely to see what sanctions the club will face and how this will affect the legacy of their achievements during the disputed period. Pulis’s comments resonate with many who feel that financial fairness is essential in maintaining the integrity of the sport.