With Manchester United crashing to a 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Saturday, Erik ten Hag is under pressure once again.
The Red Devils had, prior to the contest at Old Trafford, started to turn a corner under the Dutchman - having been unbeaten this calendar year.
But United were flat and devoid of imagination as they slipped to a nightmare loss, one that plunges their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League into uncertain waters.
They are now eight points behind Aston Villa, who continued their recent resurgence with an impressive 4-2 victory over Nottingham Forest.
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag is back under pressure following his side's Premier League defeat to Fulham on Saturday
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And while United insist they're behind Ten Hag for the time being, a parting of ways at the end of the season is certainly feasible.
Ten Hag insists fans must see the bigger picture and the Dutchman has made it clear he's delighted following the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Ratcliffe has purchased a 27 per cent stake in the fallen giants, with the British billionaire hitting all the right notes in his interviews in the time since.
He has, however, refused to outright insist that Ten Hag will be his man going forward.
And with United staring down the barrel of a chastening campaign, one that has seemed doomed from start to finish, it seems only a matter of time before the axe is brought crashing down.
As far as replacements go, there are two managers who are believed to be interested in taking over at Old Trafford.
It is no easy job and even appears to be a poisoned chalice. Just ask Ten Hag and his predecessors Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal and David Moyes.
But Thomas Tuchel, who is on his way out of Bayern Munich, is reportedly interested in taking over at Old Trafford.
Tuchel would tick some of the boxes needed to take control of the sinking ship.
He is a serial winner, having won trophies at Bayern, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund throughout his career.
Tuchel possesses brilliant tactical knowledge, too, and can win players round with his charm and charisma.
Yet hiring the German would certainly be a risk.
Tuchel is combative, having clashed repeatedly with the Bayern board throughout his time in charge of the Allianz Arena.
There is also a sense he is already becoming yesterday's man, with his best years behind him - instead of ahead.
And Tuchel would demand significant backing, too, having splashed the cash during his spells in Germany, France and England.
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Thomas Tuchel would be keen to replace Erik ten Hag at Man Utd if the opportunity arose
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The other manager reports have claimed is keen on the United job is Mourinho himself.
It was recently said the Portuguese feels he has 'unfinished business' at Old Trafford, having spent two-and-a-half years in the dugout earlier in his career.
Mourinho intriguingly recently praised Ratcliffe, expressing a belief he could be successful at United.
However, going for the 61-year-old would certainly be an eyebrow-raising move.
If Tuchel is now being seen as yesterday's man, what does that make Mourinho?
Jose Mourinho would love to return to Man Utd for a second stint amid claims he feels he has 'unfinished business' at Old Trafford
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Yes, he achieved success at Roma by winning the UEFA Conference League in 2022.
Yes, he remains one of football's most-loveable figures with his charisma unmatched.
And yes, Mourinho does have a CV littered with trophies - with spells at Chelsea, Porto, Inter Milan and Real Madrid all particularly successful.
But United need to be going forwards, not backwards.
And whether Ten Hag is able to keep the sharks at bay as they circle for his job remains to be seen.
