Why Steve McClaren's bad experiences can be good for Rotherham United's Alex Bruce
As Rotherham United's Alex Bruce wrestles with his first job in Football League management, he can rest assured he has a head of football in Steve McClaren who knows how tough it can be.
At other clubs, Bruce might have been shown the door by now, with the Millers only above the League Two trapdoor on goals scored, having played a game more than 23rd-placed Colchester United.
But his fate is effectively in the hands of McClaren, owner Tony Stewart's sounding board.
The York-born former England manager knows the scale of upheaval at the New York Stadium this summer, and also the value of a bit of patience.
He lost his first four matches as a manager in 2001, and ended the year with Middlesbrough only out of the Premier League relegation zone on goal difference, yet left as their most successful boss.
"I've been through this so many times and if you want a career in management, get used to it," he says. "It doesn't go away.
"Very few times I've been into a football club and it's been easy the first three months. It's not.
"We see that in politics. The first 100 days are difficult.
"He (Bruce) is lucky he's got good experience around him to tell him to shut up moaning in your messages to the players. That's the message to the players – shut up whingeing.
"I've kind of got to be the truth teller to say that's no excuse, we should be doing that better."
And in a different way, he has to be Stewart's truth-teller too.
"I said to him, when you're at the top, you have to be the calm one," says McClaren. "Under the water you might be flapping but it's staying calm and composed, having a plan, sticking to the plan and making sure you fulfil it.
"In the meantime get through the bad times as best you can, stick together and believe in your own ability.”