Jonas Olsson a smash hit with West Brom

The first time their paths crossed was when West Brom defender Jonas Olsson smashed a picture in the tunnel when Tony Pulis was manager of Stoke City.

The Welshman described the actions as 'disappointing' and the Swedish centre-back was fined and made to replace the piece of Britannia Stadium memorabilia.

But Pulis has been impressed with Olsson ever since he joined the Baggies last January and he's now rewarded him with a new 12-month contract at the club.

Olsson too, enjoys working under the 58-year-old, but it's hardly surprising the pair see eye-to-eye.

Both men are fiery characters rippling with passion and Olsson's hard-line approach to defending is one that echoes Pulis' own traditional views on the game.

Olsson said: "I remember it," said Olsson. "It was £50 for the painting and I had some fine as well from the club.

"I always have had a soft spot for players and managers who are really passionate about the game.

"That's why I like the manager. I enjoy working under him, I think he's been doing really well since he came.

"He's always fair and straightforward, I think everybody appreciates that, but especially Swedish and Scandinavian players.

"You want to get feedback and sometimes you don't like the feedback you get but as long as it's straightforward and honest you take it on board.

"This season I've been in and out of the team a little bit but since October I've been playing most of the games and been doing really well.

"There's times when you're not starting but the feedback I've been getting from the manager has been straightforward and I like that."

Olsson is prone to the odd mood swing, and sometimes struggles to find the energy to gee himself up, but that's where Pulis steps in.

The 33-year-old sees the head coach as a great motivator and, according to Olsson, he keeps the majority of players in the squad happy.

Olsson said: "He's a bit old school, but his leadership is excellent. I think that's what you need, in a big club like this.

"It's not easy to manage 25 or 26 professionals with big egos and get everybody to pull in the same direction and to keep everybody happy.

"That's the balance. Our dressing room is excellent and that's a testament to good leadership from the management staff and from the players as well."

Pulis, meanwhile, is more than happy to manage the Swede's ups and downs, because he knows how much Olsson wants to win whenever he puts on a blue and white striped shirt.

Pulis said: "Jonas is different, he gets moods, he swings one way then the other, but he wants to win.

"He's a smashing lad, get him on the training pitch you wouldn't believe it was the same person you meet in the dressing room after, he's a different character.

"I've found him interesting and a good person. I enjoy working with him and Gareth [McAuley], for those two senior pros to be as professional as they are is fantastic.

"I've always tried to have people like that around because it generates good spirit."

And Pulis has long-forgiven Olsson for his temper tantrum at the Britannia, adding: "He showed a bit of passion after the game. Fair play to him, he paid for it!"