It is known as third season syndrome and has become synonymous with Jose Mourinho.
The Manchester United manager has stayed in charge at a club for longer than three seasons only once - that was his first stint at Chelsea and even then he departed in September.
At Porto he lasted three seasons, Inter Milan two, Real Madrid three and his second spell at Chelsea ended during the third campaign. And now major questions are being asked about his future at Old Trafford. A summer of transfer discontent preceded a dreadful defeat at Brighton in their second Premier League fixture of the season.
His expensively assembled squad is considered way behind the quality and effectiveness of rivals Manchester City, while his relationship with players such as Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial have appeared strained.
Then there's the reported complications with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.
Mourinho's contract runs until 2020, but should United lose to Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night the feeling that he won't make it that far will be stronger than ever.
Take a look at the slideshow above at who would be in the frame to replace him.
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