So, Rafael Benitez has paid the price for fluffing his lines in Abu Dhabi.
After delivering Inter Milan the Club World Cup in the UAE, it may have been prudent to bask in a rare moment of glory following a troubled six months.
Benitez, however, chose to use his post-match press conference to launch a scathing attack on the club's heirachy and hand a "back-me-or-sack-me" ultimatum to club president Massimo Moratti. After weighing the options, Moratti chose the latter.
However, for those who have watched this most complex of characters at work during the past, his actions and words come as little surprise.
The Spaniard has a history of lashing out when he feels his control is being undermined.
It was this kind of politiking that saw him depart Liverpool following a fractious relationship with chief executive Rick Parry, former owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, plus ex-managing director Christian Purslow.
It also led to his exit from Valencia after he fell out with director of sport Jesus Garcia Pitarch over transfer policy.
Impact
But apart from the obvious consequences, the policy has also impacted on his teams.
In early 2009 as his Liverpool team sat on top of the table he disastrously engaged in a war of words with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson that ultimately contributed to the Reds campaign going awry. Liverpool finished four points behind their rivals.
The fact that he has failed so quickly at a club only recently vacated by bitter rival Jose Mourinho will also rankle with the Spaniard.
However, for the recent blots on his copy book, Benitez may not lack for suitors. His track record speaks for itself and many still remember with awe Liverpool's Champions League win in 2005 when the Reds came back from 3-0 down against AC Milan to take the trophy. He also delivered the FA Cup to Anfield, while at Valencia he landed two La Liga titles and the Uefa Cup.
A return to the Premiership may be an option, although Liverpool fans hoping for his return to Anfield will be ultimately disappointed.
However, some owners may be concerned that the Spaniard's energies these days seem to be increasingly focused on winning internal battles. Few club owners after all like to be told how to run their clubs.
