reading an article in World Soccer - a study in 2020 in the independent calculated the span of a top line manager to be 12.3 years,.The point is not so much the precise figure but the acceptance that there is a peak & it isn't very long. It's a hard job and renewing teams is hard, as is your way of thinking (don't change a winning formula or combination). It's hard to refresh your thinking, when your way has been successful previously.Finding ways to modify your successful old approach is hard. Maintaining focus & drive, being prepared to take a risk, avoiding the lapse into stereotype and that's before you consider all the external factors that are changing things

All very apposite when you consider this season and PH - it feels to me to be a bit like the managerial version of Luke Waterfall - a season too far. I've never heard PH, until this season, complain so much about referees and the ultimate him being unable to offer a solution, apart from having to wait until our luck changed. I wonder if he wasn't enjoying it as much, and maybe deep down being sacked might come as a blessed relief.

And one final thing to throw in there; this time on the way forward - Gareth Jennings.
Former head of FIFA's technical director programme; no doubt 1878 would be taking soundings from him on the way forward and with his expertise I wonder if they might look at a sporting/technical director at the helm with a coach below him. A random thought, but it'd be fairly revolutionary for the UK ,which might appeal, plus it would also fit with their idea of a football club being run more like a normal business.
Think I'm right in saying it's pretty normal elsewhere in Europe ,but has never really taken off here. Perhaps someone could confirm or put me right

With the possible exception of the promoted clubs most, if not all of the PL clubs will have a Director of Football (DoF) or equivalent.

Over half of the Championship clubs will too.

Like most things, when it works, it works. When it doesn’t, it doesn’t.

The success of it depends on the person in the role. It’s supposed to ensure continuity and style rather than flitting from a Mourinho to a Bielsa to a Dyche in succession.

Emery is doing a great job at Villa but if it goes wrong, Monchi (the DoF) would probably get the chop too. In which case, it slightly defeats the object.

The continuity of it at this level would, you suspect, be at increased risk if successful wouldn't it? Simply owing to the vulnerability of a successful DoF/SD getting poached from higher up the chain.

Not saying I wouldn't welcome that happening here, just think it would come with risks. Although I'd happily be in a position of our staff getting nabbed because we're successful.