In July 1999, Tony Pulis was appointed manager. He had led Gillingham to the playoff final only two months before, but had then been sacked for “Gross Misconduct”. Lennartson would stay on for a hand over period. City had wanted ex City player David Moyes as manager, but Preston, who he now managed, twice refused permission for Davidson to talk to Moyes, who then led Preston to the division championship.
In 2000 Pulis resigned and became manager of Portsmouth. The following day City won 3-2 at Bournemouth whilst Portsmouth lost by the same score at home to Wolves, whose equaliser was scored by Tony Branch who Pulis had tried to sign for City and the winner came from Akinbiyi who Pulis had sold to Wolves only four months before. The following week City were home to leaders Wigan. When City’s players took the field they were seen to be smiling and relaxed. One lifelong fan commented that was the first time, that season, that had happened.