Ian Holloway feels the negative press towards Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is a “bit unfair”.
Sarri is under increasing pressure at Stamford Bridge after suffering heavy defeats to Bournemouth and Manchester City in the Premier League and crashing out of the FA Cup to Manchester United.
The Chelsea boss was reportedly on the verge of being sacked as odds were slashed on him being replaced.
Reports on Friday suggested the club could turn to former coach Steve Holland to steady the ship on an interim basis.
Former QPR, Plymouth and Blackpool manager Holloway told talkSPORT: “The game is chess on grass with people. What more can you ask.
“I don’t know if you’ve played backgammon at all, it’s all numbers, so that’s why I feel it’s a bit unfair on Sarri at the moment.
“The facts of this is if you are a football supporter, you will have moments where you are disappointed and disillusioned because the energy of your football club is dissipating and going downwards so you need someone to come and pump that up.
“Whatever happens, you are there forever whereas as a football manager you have to change your shirt and change your office. You are going to get sacked in the morning but you have to learn to deal with that.”
Chelsea face Manchester City in the final of the Carabao Cup on Sunday and you can listen to coverage live on talkSPORT with kick off at 4.30pm.