The 59-year-old coach began his dugout career as player/manager of Burton Albion in 1998 and he’s now in charge of Mansfield Town.

While Nigel enjoys working with his players, he admitted the job has grown “harder and less enjoyable” over the years.

Asked if he still loves the job, he told Telegraph Sport: “No. I never really have done. I enjoy coming in here and watching honest lads training but, overall, it’s become harder and less enjoyable. In some ways the losses hurt more now.

“You ask Eric Ramsay [who was sacked at West Brom last week after nine games] what he thinks of football management. I bet he wouldn’t be too enamoured with it.

“When you get the sack it’s like a grieving process.

“The first feeling is relief, because you’re not worried about getting a result on a Saturday. Then you’ll get angry, because you think you didn’t deserve it, especially if there’s a perceived injustice like we had at Derby. Then you feel useless and worthless. For the young managers, the feeling afterwards is what hits them the hardest.”

At five years and four months, Nigel is the fourth longest-serving manager in the top four leagues but admitted he is unlikely to double his stint.

He said: “I never thought I’d be doing it this long. I can’t tell you why I still do it.

“Everywhere we’ve been, the principles have been the same – make good decisions, try and get good people in, try and leave the club in a better position than when you came in.

“Will I do another 200 games? Not if I want to be married, I won’t.

“I joked the other day with my wife Margaret about getting to the 2,000 mark and she didn’t take that very well! She was very calm about it actually, and said it would be fantastic but you’ll be doing it on your own.”