Events in the last few days have demonstrated the volatile nature of modern-day management.
It all started with Jose Mourinho’s sacking from Chelsea on Thursday, just seven months after the Portuguese lifted the Premier League title for the third time.
The fact that the champions found themselves a single point above the relegation zone after 16 matches meant his dismissal was almost inevitable.
As a result, Mourinho’s attempt to redefine his reputation by building a dynasty at Stamford Bridge was brought to a premature end. He is still yet to complete a fourth season at a club in a single spell.
Two days later, the pressure on Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal was ratcheted up a notch or two as his side were defeated 2-1 at home to struggling Norwich City.
Alex Ferguson was in charge at Old Trafford for 27 years, but if Van Gaal is relieved of his duties in the coming days, as some reports are suggesting, United — for so long a model of stability and continuity in the dugout — will have fired the Scot’s two successors in the space of 20 months.
Mesut Ozil: Arsenal have 'no fear' of Barcelona trio ahead of Champions League showdown
One man who will certainly be leaving his current post in the near future is Pep Guardiola, who announced on Sunday that he will depart Bayern Munich at the end of the season.
The Bundesliga champions are arguably the best team in Europe, so Guardiola’s decision to move on after three years at the helm is further evidence that long-term tenures are becoming a thing of the past.
Carlo Ancelotti will be his replacement, with the Italian extremely likely to become the first coach to win trophies in his homeland, Spain, France, England and Germany.
Since taking the reins at Reggiana 20 years ago, Ancelotti has managed the same side for more than two campaigns on just one occasion.
In such a light, Arsene Wenger increasingly appears to be the last of a dying breed.
The Frenchman is in his 20th season at Arsenal having first arrived in north London in 1996. Club and manager have become intertwined since then, Wenger spending money as if it were his own and making decisions with the long-term interest of the club at the forefront of his mind.
There have been plenty of critics along the way, particularly in the 11-and-a-half years since Arsenal’s last Premier League title in 2004.
Wenger, accused of stubbornness, naivety and excessive idealism, has been labelled a visionary whose vision is no longer suited to the modern game.
Arsene Wenger: Arsenal possess 'great team spirit and great unity in the dressing room'
Now in the third phase of his time in charge — following a trophy-laden first nine years and a necessary scaling back in the stadium-funding period of 2005 to 2013 — the 66-year-old may never have a better chance to win the English top flight for a fourth time.
Monday’s 2-1 win over Manchester City moved Arsenal four points clear of their opponents on the night, seven ahead of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United and just two behind surprise leaders Leicester City.
Mesut Ozil, who registered his 14th and 15th assists of 2015/16 against City, has been simply sublime since August, while Olivier Giroud is beginning to confound the doubters who questioned his big-game mentality and ability to lead the line for a championship-contending team.
Theo Walcott and Joel Campbell were also excellent, with Petr Cech again proving why he is still one of the best goalkeepers around. The former Chelsea custodian has played a big part in Arsenal’s excellent defensive record, with no team conceding fewer than their 14 goals.
There is still a long way to go in this most open of Premier League campaigns.
Wenger’s men are bound to hit a rough patch between now and May, with the absence of first-choice central midfielders Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin likely to be keenly felt at some stage.
For now, though, Arsenal must be considered title favourites. Wenger, the great survivor, has another league championship fixed firmly in his sights.
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport