Steve Bruce became the first managerial casualty of the 2011/12 season but what is the time-line of the inevitable departure of the “doomed manager”?

Appointed as manager to much furore/excitement/displeasure/trepidation (delete as applicable)

Purchases expensive player(s), statement of intent showing the ambition at the club, all is well.

Club boosted by fantastic run of form followed by a blip and a satisfactory finish to the season.

Purchases another pricey player to further underline the long-term goals of the club.

Club’s form begins to slip, expensive signings demand transfers as the clubs mediocrity overwhelms the ambition.

Manager signs new contract, again, underlining the intent of the  club.

Important players leave, results decline.

Manager sacked.

An all too familiar story.