In that regard, Bradford City manager Graham Alexander can speak from experience from his time at Preston and Burnley.
It also helps to explain why he is anxious for experienced midfielder Kevin McDonald, fresh from a spell in interim charge at City, to concentrate on playing and nothing else.
Alexander, a teammate of McDonald’s for a short while at Burnley, said: “He had a great little experience (as interim manager), and it did help the club, and he stepped in at a really important time.
“But I think his burning desire is to be a player and really enjoy however long he wants to play for.
“I was a player at that age and understood I wanted to be left alone to play, and that’s what I’ll do.”
Those above sentiments also help to explain why Alexander will not be canvassing the opinions of McDonald about the squad he has inherited as well.
Alexander, whose side returns to action in Saturday’s televised League One trip to Notts County, added: “I actually want to unburden him from that if possible.
“He wants to go back into the group, be a competitive teammate, and help on the pitch rather than off it.
Additionally, I believe it’s critical for me to form my own opinions about people.
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“When Kev first came down from Scotland as a little lad, I played with him many moons ago and was at his extreme now.
“Looking at his career over the previous fifteen years or so is fantastic. He performed a wonderful job.”
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