The war of words, the trials and tribulations of the difficult winter period, their heads on a chopping block; life in football management is essentially its own Game of Thrones.
In a soon-to-be Pulitzer-nominated take on their various parallels, here are 7 Game of Thrones characters who remind us of well-known football managers:
Theon Greyjoy is David Moyes
The one-time fan favourite spent years plying his trade and building his reputation at Winterfell, only to see it destroyed when he tried to his hand at the highest level and was found seriously wanting.
'Reek' was exiled to foreign soil where his soul was slowly but surely broken down before he inevitably returned to his adopted homeland, minus his gonads, an irreparable shell of the man he once was.
Gregor Clegane aka The Mountain is Sam Allardyce
With his physically aggressive tactics and route one approach, The Mountain has always retained a quiet affiliation to the throne - not dissimilar to Big Sam's loyalty to old friend Sir Alex Ferguson.
Almost identical in stature and shape, neither The Mountain nor Allardyce are renowned givers of shites, with both famed for their uncanny ability to rebound from adversity and tumultuous ends to previous seasons.
Bronn is Ian Holloway
The wise cracks, the rants, the perceptively 'cheeky' remarks about women that, in some cases, cross the border right into sexist territory. The 'time away from the Game' followed by spectacular returns to enthral audiences once more. And then of course there's Bronn.
Stannis Baratheon is Every Non-League Manager Ever
The Magic of the Cup can only take you so far. Combined with no shortage of resolve, it did keep Stannis and his charges alive throughout a difficult season for House Baratheon, but the leader's 'oh bollocks'-like exhalation as he took to the field against a vastly superior Bolton outfit was indicative of a man who knew his side's luck had run out.
Petyr Baelish is Steve McClaren
Nobody can be sure which accent either man will bring to the table on any given week. This comparison is admittedly almost totally verbal, with the pair opting for 'tsscchhh' sounds where all that's required is a simple 's.'
But spells abroad have come as a huge benefit to the careers of both men as they take the elongated route to the pinnacle of their respective games.
Ned Stark is Sean Dyche
A realist in a world of make-believe, the Warden of The North knew he needed to strengthen as Winter approached, but simply wasn't provided with sufficient backing. The same can be said of Lord Eddard Stark. Thankfully, following Burnely's relegation, there were few calls for the noble and gallant Dyche's head.
Davos Seaworth is Ricky Sbragia
Left to pick up the pieces after the demise of his universally unpopular predecessor and former boss, the remnants of Stanis' followers will initially take to Davos' sincerity and polite charm.
But the amicable former smuggler will soon realise he is not cut out for the job, with the first sign of trouble enough to see him ride off into the sunset, perhaps never to be seen again by fans.
Cheers to Seán Driscoll for his suggestions.
