Steve Komphela's cool-as-a-cucumber demeanour will be rigorously tested during Kaizer Chiefs' next five league matches, which could decide both his future and that of the glamour club's title credentials.
Under pressure since the final year of his three-year contract kicked in in August, Komphela has shown some stoicism in remaining focussed in one of the most demanding jobs in South African football.
If results on the pitch over the past two-and-a-half-years of Komphela's reign had matched his approach to his job, he would have no worries about his future at Chiefs.
In fact Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung pronounced last week that "Komphela has a bright future", albeit without clarifying where that future lay.
Komphela has somehow managed to build a strong relationship with the club's management - much to the grief of the hordes of Amakhosi fans who were never impressed with his appointment in the first place.
That Komphela has no major trophy to show for his efforts strengthened the fans' call for his dismissal.
One of the main reasons the Chiefs hierarchy has been seduced by Komphela's work ethic, has been his ability to bring the young guns into the starting 11, though the results are yet to bear fruit.
"Teams have phases," said Komphela as he sought to explain his work with the young blood at Chiefs.
"We had a phase where we were rebuilding. You can now see what's happening with the assistance of the youth.
"When you bring in the new signings (Leonardo Castro, Siphelele Ntshangase and Kabelo Mahlasela) at the back of that youth energy, it is a huge plus."..