Bad omen: Will the dreaded 'vote of confidence' curse hit Mourinho next?
Hopelessly tread the touchline during a dire defeat, become a focal point of derision, and receive support from the club. Rinse, and repeat.
The revolving door of Premier League managers isn't the only thing spinning on a tidy axis after Jose Mourinho became the latest top-flight tactician to receive his club's backing amid trying times.
Related: Report - Mourinho receives Manchester United backing
Mourinho is no stranger to receiving the dreaded vote of confidence, and if his last show of hollow support is any indication, the erratic Portuguese gaffer may fancy printing up a few CVs.
Before joining Manchester United, Mourinho enjoyed two spells at Chelsea, the last of which ended in December 2015 on the heels of nine league defeats in 15. In the months leading up to his sacking, Mourinho saw the Blues pick up a scant 11 points in the club's first dozen matches, and despite claims from pundits and supporters alike calling for his head, Chelsea's website issued a statement of support for the two-time Champions League winner.
With that reversal of fortune in mind, here's a look at six managers to receive the backing of their respective clubs only to eventually get the axe:
Claudio Ranieri (Leicester City)
Vote of confidence issued: Feb. 7, 2016.
Few managers merit the universal praise Claudio Ranieri received after shockingly leading Leicester City to a historic league title. Following an underwhelming spell during the 2016-17 season, the Foxes pledged their agency with the Italian "Tinkerman" on Feb. 7, saying, "In light of recent speculation, Leicester City Football Club would like to make absolutely clear its unwavering support for its first team manager Claudio Ranieri."
Date of sacking: With reports linking Ranieri with a dressing room divide, the manager was fired Feb. 23, a little more than a fortnight after receiving the backing of the club.
Alan Pardew (Crystal Palace)
Vote of confidence issued: Dec. 7, 2016.
Former Crystal Palace midfielder Alan Pardew's second season in charge of the Eagles saw the club win just six of 36 matches in the calendar year. "Alan has a 41 percent win record at Palace which is pretty astonishing. It's totally safe (Pardew's job) in that every manager is under pressure. It's a binary industry and you have to win football matches," Eagles chairman Steve Parish conceded after a win over Southampton ended a six-match losing streak.
Date of sacking: With a poor spell all but covering up Pardew's touchline tango in the FA Cup final against United, the Wimbledon Silver Fox was sacked with Palace sitting 17th, just 16 days after Parish's support.
Brendan Rodgers (Liverpool)
Vote of confidence issued: Aug. 8, 2015.
A year and change removed from guiding Liverpool to a second-place finish, Brendan Rodgers was at the helm for a mercurial campaign that saw the Reds finish sixth. "We believed in Brendan when he won Manager of the Year for 2013-14. That was only a year earlier when he was awarded that compliment," chairman Tom Werner admitted. "We do believe that Brendan is the right man for Liverpool and the right man to take the club forward."
Date of sacking: With a 1-1 derby draw against Everton marking the fifth time in sixth that Liverpool dropped points from a winning position, Rodgers was dismissed on Oct. 4, 2015 - 58 days after Werner's claim.
Tim Sherwood (Aston Villa)
Vote of confidence issued: Oct. 15, 2015.
Midfielder-turned-boss Tim Sherwood was on the sidelines for 28 matches spanning two seasons, including the 4-0 FA Cup dismantling against Arsenal and a 10-match winless run. "There has been a bit of bad luck along the way. To say Tim Sherwood has to win those games to survive is pure speculation. Randy has always wanted continuity and someone there for the long term," board member Charles Krulak offered on behalf of owner Randy Lerner.
Date of sacking: With Aston Villa staring down the barrel at a return to the second tier, Sherwood was fired on Oct. 25, 2015 - 10 days after Krulak's approval.
Roberto Mancini (Manchester City)
Vote of confidence issued: March 22, 2013.
After guiding Manchester City to their first top-flight title in 44 years, reported issues with players and the board marred the tail-end of a second season at the Etihad. "Mancini is a champion. There is nothing more to say. Anyway, it is not easy to win back-to-back titles in any league, especially the Premier League," chief executive Ferran Soriano told a press conference in May 2013.
Date of sacking: Just 53 days after Soriano's pledge, Mancini was sacked on May 14, 2012 - one year after leading Manchester City to the title.
Kenny Dalglish (Liverpool)
Vote of confidence issued: April 12, 2012
King Kenny's second spell bossing Liverpool didn't quite go as planned, and despite victory in the 2011-12 League Cup - the club's first trophy in six years - and a spot in the FA Cup final, the Reds slumped to an eighth-placed finish in the league. "We've got great confidence in Kenny. We feel the team is going to make strides in the future and he enjoys our full support," Werner said about the Scottish club legend.
Date of sacking: Three days after Liverpool's season-ending defeat at Swansea City cemented a third season without Champions League on the spin, Dalglish was fired May 16, 2012.
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