Fulham boss Chris Coleman is learning to live with constant speculation over his position is another.
Every season the former Wales centre-back is installed as one of the favourites for the axe, despite a record which includes guiding the club to their highest top-flight finish ever.
Ninth in 2004 was followed up by 13th in 2005, impressive returns given the shoestring budget he operates on following chairman Mohamed Al Fayed’s decision to pull the plug on big-money transfers.
But Coleman, who hopes to secure Fulham’s second Premiership victory at Tottenham on Monday night, remains unperturbed by the doom-mongers as the club have adopted a long-term strategy.
“All Premiership managers are worried because it’s easy to lose five games on the bounce as the standard of the league is so high. If that happens you’re in desperate trouble,” he said.
“I’ve been favourite for the sack since I’ve been in the job and this is my third full season. It doesn’t bother me. We’ve also been favourites for relegation each time.
“Two seasons ago people said we were favourites to finish bottom but then we made a blistering start and were top four until Christmas.
“Two or three months down the line the same people started saying what a good young manager I am and what a great young team Fulham are. If you listen to what people in the media say, then you’re weak as far as I’m concerned.
“I’m more than confident that we’re not going to be relegated and more than confident that my chairman and board of directors see the bigger picture on what we’re trying to achieve at this club.
“I’ve always been prepared to live or die by my own decisions. I’ll do it my own way. If I do it well I keep my job. I don’t take heed of the criticism or the accolades.”
