Tommy Docherty believes Sir Alex Ferguson would have been long gone from Manchester United without a strong board.
United's board infamously considered getting shot of Ferguson in the 80s when he was struggling to reproduce the magic he'd performed at Aberdeen.
But in 1990 he steered the club to FA Cup success over Crystal Palace and the rest is history. Docherty doesn't believe Fergie would have lasted if his directors hadn't been forgiving.
He told the Daily Record: "If it was today he probably wouldn't have lasted. Results were not good at the start but you need time to implement your own ideas and get it right.
"You have to look at the playing staff and have the courage to get rid of players you don't fancy."