The former QPR and Tottenham boss has spent the last three seasons at the Britannia Stadium, spending two days each week at the training ground and attending every match.
Voice of experience: Stoke coach Gerry Francis is an aide to Tony Pulis
On the training pitch: With Matthew Etherington
But Francis has to travel around 60,000 miles per year from his home in the south to work in the Potteries, leading to concerns over whether he will commit to a fourth term at Stoke.
Potters chairman Peter Coates says it is down to Pulis to thrash out a deal.?
'It is very much Tony's call as to what happens with Gerry,' said Coates.
'I have always left it to Tony to decide what people he has around him, and was more than happy for him to bring Gerry in for his Premier League experience.
'As far as I am aware, Gerry has been very valuable to him and been an important part of his immediate football management team.'
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Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail