Livingston boss David Martindale admits he could have been the first managerial casualty of the season if the club's board had been more 'trigger happy'.
The 47-year-old believes continuity is the key to success and reckons boardrooms across the country are increasingly out of touch with the pressure of the dugout.
The Lions were rooted to the foot of the Premiership table after picking up just four points from their opening eight games this season - which he admits could have seen other managers dismissed - but they've recovered to the extent that they are well in the mix for a top-six spot with seven games remaining before the split.
Both Aberdeen and Dundee elected to dismiss their managers this week, with Jack Ross having been shown the door by Hibs earlier in the season.
Martindale said: "Clubs are well within their rights to change their manager when they want but I’m all for consistency. The only thing that doesn’t surprise me is that nothing surprises me. That’s sad I think but it’s true.
“It’s a very difficult job for all managers - at the top and the bottom. The ones at the top are trying to win titles and cups, and get into Europe. At the bottom, it’s about staying in the league. So, the pressure is massive.
“Sometimes I think some people in the boardroom maybe don’t appreciate how tough it is."
He added: "I think James McPake did a decent job. He got them into the Premiership and he will be disappointed he never got the chance to keep them in the league.
“Stephen Glass will be similar at Aberdeen, as Jack Ross was at Hibs. They all did a decent job but find themselves out of work.
“I went through a sticky patch at the start of the season and I’m delighted the board stood behind me. Maybe with a trigger happy board I wouldn’t still be the Livingston manager.”
One manager heavily linked with the vacant job at Aberdeen is Jim Goodwin but Martindale doesn't believe that will affect tomorrow's clash with St Mirren.
He said: "I have huge respect for Jim and he’s done a good job at St Mirren.
“If he is in the dugout against us on Saturday I don’t think what is going on in the background will impact the game. If he isn’t, it might. But they still have a good group of players who would get on with the job.
“I can’t see it impacting the match too much, but all we are worrying about is Livingston.”
Don't miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/newsletter-preference-centre/
