Some years ago, when he was in charge of the Netherlands national squad, Dick Advocaat called managing a football team “the loneliest job in the world”. He got a reminder of what it is like last week when he became the first Premier League casualty of the season when he resigned at Sunderland, although his departure was not totally unexpected.
Advocaat wasn’t lonely for long however, as he was quickly joined by Brendan Rodgers who most definitely did not leave Liverpool of his own accord, but was unceremoniously booted out, perhaps a little prematurely. All it took was a telephone call.
In any Premier League season, no club wants to be the first to show the gaffer the door as it suggests an element of panic and at the same time is virtually admitting to making a mistake in hiring the fellow in the first place.
But once the first manager departs, it tends to be an open season and there will be a few top flight gaffers looking over their shoulders a trifle nervously in the coming weeks. This even includes the Special One, Jose Mourinho, who has been not at all special this season.
But Mourinho has incredible self-belief, or what many would call an inflated opinion of himself. As Mark Irwin wrote in the Sun this week: “Jose Mourinho questions himself all the time. And he always come up with the same answer — that he is bloody brilliant.’’
Brilliant or not, Chelsea came out with a statement that “Mourinho has the full support of the board” which is often a precursor to a sacking. But axing Jose would cost a small fortune, so he is probably safe for a while.
Other managers who perhaps are not feeling too secure are Steve McLaren at Newcastle, current favourite amongst the bookmakers to be the next for the chop, closely followed by Tim Sherwood at struggling Aston Villa.
The biggest news was of course at Anfield, where Rodgers may have felt a little hard done by, having almost taken the Reds to the title in the 2013-14 season. But “almost” is not good enough in football.
Whether the new boss, former Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp will be able to turn things around remains to be seen. He would appear to be a good choice, but will have to hit the ground running and quickly sort out the suspect defence. The players are also likely to get a lift from having a new manager.
The toughest job will be to live up to the expectations of the Anfield fans. Given the present team, the incoming manager is unlikely to make them instant champions. It still seems incredible that a club which so dominated English football in the 1970s and 80s has yet to win a Premier League title.
Over at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland have not got the greatest record for holding on to managers.
Four years ago Steve Bruce was sacked at Sunderland to the strains of “Fat Geordie b------“ still ringing in his ears as the fans turned against him. Supporters can be cruel at times.
Since then Martin O’Neill, Paolo di Canio and Gus Poyet have all tried their luck with little or no success. It is no coincidence that there hasn’t been a stampede of managers wanting to take on the job.
Sunderland have a rich history, unfortunately it’s all ancient history. They have won the league title an impressive six times, but the dates of these triumphs tell the story — 1892, 1893, 1895, 1902, 1913 and 1936.
Their only significant item of silverware in the modern era is winning the FA Cup in 1973 when they upset the then mighty Leeds United.
The Black Cats are not without ambition, however. In 1997 they moved from Roker Park to the Stadium of Light, one of the first modern stadiums. On the walls are famous Sunderland faces from years gone by — Charlie Buchan, Raich Carter, Len Shackleton and Brian Clough. How the club could do with players of that calibre now.
One of the unique aspects of football management which distinguishes itself from other occupations, is that if you get the sack you still have a chance of walking into another prime job. It won’t be long before Rodgers and Advocaat will have lucrative new positions, if that’s what they want.
But while financial rewards may be high, the mental toll can be even higher. Former England star Gary Lineker, now a successful TV presenter, once commented: “Being a manager is a thankless, hopeless task. It’s a dreadful job and most of them could be seen on the brink of madness.”
You only have to look at them pacing the touchline to see what Lineker is talking about.
Certainly it can be a very lonely and depressing job. When asked who was his closest friend while in charge at Coventry, Gordon Strachan replied: “I’m the manager. I have no friends.”
Some managers adopt a philosophical approach. John Toshack succeeded in getting sacked twice by Real Madrid, in 1990 and 1999. After his second sacking Toshack observed: “Every manager gets sacked, but it’s better to be sacked by Real Madrid than any other club.”
That’s what you call positive thinking.
One of the most honest statements about management came from Kevin Keegan when he was first boss at Newcastle United. “You just hope and pretend you know what you are doing,” he said.
If the truth be known, he was probably speaking for many managers in the Premier League.